Multiethnic meta-analysis identifies ancestry-specific and cross-ancestry loci for pulmonary function

Nearly 100 loci have been identified for pulmonary function, almost exclusively in studies of European ancestry populations. We extend previous research by meta-analyzing genome-wide association studies of 1000 Genomes imputed variants in relation to pulmonary function in a multiethnic population of 90,715 individuals of European (N = 60,552), African (N = 8429), Asian (N = 9959), and Hispanic/Latino (N = 11,775) ethnicities. We identify over 50 additional loci at genome-wide significance in ancestry-specific or multiethnic meta-analyses. Using recent fine-mapping methods incorporating functional annotation, gene expression, and differences in linkage disequilibrium between ethnicities, we further shed light on potential causal variants and genes at known and newly identified loci. Several of the novel genes encode proteins with predicted or established drug targets, including KCNK2 and CDK12. Our study highlights the utility of multiethnic and integrative genomics approaches to extend existing knowledge of the genetics of l

Molecular and serological detection of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses and ticks in Maranhão, Brazil

Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Departamento de Patologia. São Luis, MA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal. Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Departamento de Patologia. São Luis, MA, Brasil.Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Departamento de Patologia. São Luis, MA, Brasil.Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Departamento de Patologia. São Luis, MA, Brasil.Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Departamento de Patologia. São Luis, MA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilEquine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the intraeytrhocytic protozoans Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. It has been reported as a main equine parasitic disease. In addition, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of granulocytic ehrlichiosis, causes a seasonal disease in horses. Both diseases, can be detrimental to animal health. In this sense, blood samples and ticks were collected from 97 horses raised in the microregion of Baixada Maranhense, Maranhão State, Brazil. Serum samples were subjected to Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) and blood samples and ticks to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to evaluate the infection by Theileria equi, Babesia caballi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The overall seroprevalence was 38.14%, 18.55% and 11.34% for T. equi, B. caballi and A. phagocytophilum, respectively. The results of PCR from blood samples showed 13.40% and 3.09% positive samples to T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. A total of 170 tick specimens were collected and identified as Dermacentor nitens, Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. It was detected 2.35% (4/170) and 0.59% (1/170) positive tick samples by PCR for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. All samples were negative to A. phagocytophilum. No statically difference (p>0.05) was observed when gender, age, use of ectoparasiticide and tick presence were analyzed. A BLASTn analysis of the sequenced samples indicated 97 to 100% similarity with T. equi 18S rRNA gene sequences in GenBank and 98 to 100% with B. caballi. Genetic analysis classified the obtained sequences as T. equi and B. caballi cluster, respectively. It can be concluded that these pathogens occur and are circulating in the studied area