Microbiology: Current Research

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Commentary - Microbiology: Current Research (2023) Volume 7, Issue 4

The role of host genetic on infectious diseases.

Nirdula Pravallika Reddy *

Department of Microbiology, Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon, India

*Corresponding Author:
Nirdula Pravallika Reddy
Department of Microbiology,
Amity University Haryana
Gurgaon, India
E-mail: nirdulapravallika@gmail.com

Received:29-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. AAMCR-23-109560;Editor assigned: 03-Aug-2023, PreQC No. AAMCR-23-109560(PQ);Reviewed:15-Aug-2023, QC No. AAMCR-23-109560;Revised:22-Aug-2023, Manuscript No. AAMCR-23-109560(R); Published:30-Aug-2023, DOI: 10.35841/ aamcr-7.4.158

Citation: Reddy NP. The role of host genetic on infectious diseases. J Micro Curr Res. 2023;7(4):158

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Abstract

      

Introduction

Infectious diseases have been a major threat to human health for centuries, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence and severity of infectious diseases can be influenced by a variety of factors, including host genetics. The role of host genetics in infectious diseases has been increasingly recognized in recent years, as advances in genomics have allowed for the identification of genetic variants that confer susceptibility or resistance to infectious agents. Host genetics can influence susceptibility to infectious diseases through a variety of mechanisms. One mechanism is through variation in the innate immune system, which is the first line of defence against invading pathogens. The innate immune system is composed of a variety of cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, which work together to recognize and eliminate invading pathogens. [1].

Variants in genes that encode for components of the innate immune system can influence susceptibility to infectious diseases. For example, variants in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes have been associated with susceptibility to a variety of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV. TLRs are a family of receptors that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate the innate immune response. Variants in TLR genes can alter the ability of these receptors to recognize PAMPs, leading to impaired innate immune responses and increased susceptibility to infection. Another mechanism by which host genetics can influence susceptibility to infectious diseases is through variation in adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity is the immune response that is tailored to specific pathogens and is responsible for generating long-term immunity to infectious agents. Adaptive immunity is mediated by T cells and B cells, which recognize and eliminate invading pathogens. [2].

Variants in genes that encode for components of the adaptive immune system can influence susceptibility to infectious diseases. For example, variants in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been associated with susceptibility to a variety of infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis. HLA genes encode for proteins that present antigens to T cells, allowing for the activation of the adaptive immune response. Variants in HLA genes can alter the ability of these proteins to present antigens, leading to impaired adaptive immune responses and increased susceptibility to infection [3].

In addition to influencing susceptibility to infectious diseases, host genetics can also influence the severity of infectious diseases. For example, variants in the IL-6 gene have been associated with increased severity of COVID-19. IL-6 is a cytokine that plays a role in the inflammatory response to infection. Variants in the IL-6 gene can lead to increased production of this cytokine, which can contribute to the development of severe COVID-19. Host genetics can also influence the response to treatment of infectious diseases. For example, variants in the CYP2C19 gene have been associated with poor response to the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel, which is used to prevent cardiovascular events. CYP2C19 is a cytochrome P450 enzyme that metabolizes clopidogrel. Variants in the CYP2C19 gene can alter the activity of this enzyme, leading to decreased metabolism of clopidogrel and poor response to the drug. [4].

The role of host genetics in infectious diseases has important implications for the development of personalized medicine approaches to infectious disease treatment and prevention. Personalized medicine is an approach to medical care that takes into account an individual's genetic makeup and other factors to tailor treatments to the individual. Personalized medicine approaches to infectious disease treatment and prevention could include the use of genetic testing to identify individuals at increased risk of infection or poor response to treatment, and the development of targeted therapies that are tailored to an individual's genetic profile. The use of personalized medicine approaches to infectious disease treatment and prevention is still in its early stages, but there are already some examples of successful implementation. For example, the use of genetic testing to identify individuals with HLA-B*5701 before starting treatment with abacavir, a medication used to treat HIV, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reactions to the drug. Another example is the use of genetic testing to identify individuals with variants in the IFNL3 gene who are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis C infection, and who may benefit from earlier treatment with antiviral therapy. [5].

Conclusion

The role of host genetics in infectious diseases is an important area of research with significant implications for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Host genetics can influence susceptibility to infectious diseases, the severity of infectious diseases, and the response to treatment of infectious diseases. Personalized medicine approaches to infectious disease treatment and prevention, which take into account an individual's genetic profile, have the potential to improve outcomes for individuals with infectious diseases. However, there are also challenges to the implementation of personalized medicine approaches, and further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between host genetics and infectious agents.

 

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