Investigation of Genetic Susceptibility to Blastomycosis Reveals Interleukin-6 as a Potential Susceptibility Locus

Abstract

Blastomycosis is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis . As with related fungal diseases, blastomycosis is noted to affect some populations more than others. These patterns of illness are often not related to predisposing conditions or exposure risks; thus, genetic differences are thought to underlie these health disparities. People of Hmong ancestry in Wisconsin are at elevated risk of blastomycosis compared to the general population. We studied the genetic codes of Hmong blastomycosis patients and identified candidate sites in their genomes that may explain their susceptibility to this infection. We further studied one particular region of the genome that is involved with the immune processes that fight B. dermatitidis . Our work revealed population differences in the response to fungi. A better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of susceptibility to infectious diseases has broader implications for community health, especially in the paradigm of personalized medicine.