Frontiers in Genetics (May 2014)

Genome Wide Association Study of SNP-, Gene-, and Pathway-based Approaches to Identify Genes Influencing Susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus Infections

  • Zhan eYe,
  • Daniel A Vasco,
  • Tonia eCarter,
  • Murray eBrilliant,
  • Steven J Schrodi,
  • Sanjay K Shukla

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2014.00125
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Background: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify specific genetic variants that underlie susceptibility to disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus in humans. Methods: Cases (n=309) and controls (n=2,925) were genotyped at 508,921 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Cases had at least one laboratory and clinician confirmed disease caused by S. aureus whereas controls did not. R-package (for SNP association), EIGENSOFT (to estimate and adjust for population stratification) and gene- (VEGAS) and pathway-based (DAVID, PANTHER, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) analyses were performed.Results: No SNP reached genome-wide significance. Four SNPs exceeded the pConclusion: We identified potential susceptibility genes for S. aureus diseases in this preliminary study but confirmation by other studies is needed. The observed associations could be relevant given the complexity of S. aureus as a pathogen and its ability to exploit multiple biological pathways to cause infections in humans.

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