Genome-wide association analysis with selective genotyping identifies candidate loci for adult height at 8q21.13 and 15q22.33-q23 in Mongolians

We performed a genome-wide association study with 23,465 microsatellite markers to identify genes related to adult height. Selective genotyping was applied to extremely tall and extremely short individuals from the Khalkh-Mongolian population. Two loci, 8q21.13 and 15q22.33, which showed the strongest association with microsatellites were subjected to further analyses of SNPs in 782 tall and 773 short individuals. The most significant association was observed with SNP rs2220456 at 8q21.13 (P = 0.000016). In the LD block at 15q22.32, SNP rs8038652 located in intron 1 of IQCH was strongly associated (P = 0.0003), especially the AA genotype of the SNP under a recessive model was strongly associated with adult height (P = 0.000046)

Effect of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Pneumonia Incidence Rates among Children 2–59 Months of Age, Mongolia, 2015–2021

Starting in June 2016, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was introduced into the routine immunization program of Mongolia by using a 2+1 dosing schedule, phased by district. We used prospective hospital surveillance to evaluate the vaccine’s effect on pneumonia incidence rates among children 2–59 months of age over a 6-year period. Of 17,607 children with pneumonia, overall adjusted incidence rate ratios showed decreased primary endpoint pneumonia, very severe pneumonia, and probable pneumococcal pneumonia until June 2021. Results excluding and including the COVID-19 pandemic period were similar. Pneumonia declined in 3 districts that introduced PCV13 with catch-up campaigns but not in the 1 district that did not. After PCV13 introduction, vaccine-type pneumococcal carriage prevalence decreased by 44% and nonvaccine-type carriage increased by 49%. After PCV13 introduction in Mongolia, the incidence of more specific pneumonia endpoints declined in children 2–59 months of age; additional benefits were conferred by catch-up campaigns

Molecular epidemiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 in Mongolia, first experience with nanopore sequencing in lower‐ and middle‐income countries setting

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) has had a significant impact globally, and extensive genomic research has been conducted on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) lineage patterns and its variants. Mongolia's effective response resulted in low prevalence until vaccinations became available. However, due to the lack of systematically collected data and absence of whole genome sequencing capabilities, we conducted a two‐stepped, nationally representative molecular epidemiologic study of SARS‐CoV‐2 in Mongolia for 2020 and 2021. Methods We used retrospective analysis of stored biological samples from November 2020 to October 2021 and a variant‐specific real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) test to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, followed by whole genome sequencing by Nanopore technology. Samples were retrieved from different sites and stored at −70°C deep freezer, and tests were performed on samples with cycle threshold <30. Results Out of 4879 nucleic acid tests, 799 whole genome sequencing had been carried out. Among the stored samples of earlier local transmission, we found the 20B (B.1.1.46) variant predominated in the earlier local transmission period. A slower introduction and circulation of alpha and delta variants were observed compared to global dynamics in 2020 and 2021. Beta or Gamma variants were not detected between November 2020 and September 2021 in Mongolia. Conclusions SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concerns including alpha and delta were delayed in circulation potentially due to public health stringencies in Mongolia. We are sharing our initial experience with whole genome sequencing of SARS‐CoV‐2 from Mongolia, where sequencing data is sparse