Discovery of host genetic factors through multi-locus GWAS against Toxoplasmosis in sheep: Addressing One Health perspectives

Abstract T. gondii stands as one of the most successful pathogens, capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded species. It is estimated that up to 50% of human populations could harbor Toxoplasmosis infections. Among the primary transmission routes is the consumption of tissue cysts from infected food-producing farm animals. Thus, controlling Toxoplasmosis in farm animals is of vital importance for public health and food safety. The implementation of selective breeding in farm animals, where available, could serve as an effective complementary strategy for eradicating Toxoplasmosis from herds. For this purpose, we conducted four multi-locus genome-wide association (GWA) approaches to uncover the underlying polygenic factors involved in innate resistance to Toxoplasmosis in naturally infected sheep. Our findings indicate that 16 SNPs significantly influence host immunity against T. gondii infection. This study marks the initial exploration of host genetic factors against Toxoplasmosis in livestock, utilizing the ovine paradigm as its foundation.