Genome scan for loci linked to mite sensitivity: the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Asthma (CSGA)

Mite sensitivity has been reported to be a major risk factor for asthma. As part of the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Asthma (CSGA), a genome scan using mite reactivity ( Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus ( Der p ) and Dermatophagoides farinae ( Der f )) as the phenotype was conducted. In 287 CSGA families, 122 were informative for linkage. Evidence supporting linkage was observed for regions on chromosome 19 (D19S591, lod=2.43, P =0.0008; D19S1037, lod=1.57, P =0.007) and chromosome 20 (D20S473/D20S604, lod=1.41, P =0.01). All three ethnic groups appeared to contribute to the evidence for linkage on chromosome 20. African-American families gave strongest support for linkage on chromosomes 3 (D3S2409, lod=1.33, P =0.01), 12 (D12S373, lod=1.51, P =0.008) and 18 (ATA82B02, lod=1.32, P =0.01). Caucasian families showed strong evidence for linkage on chromosome 19 (D19S591, lod=3.51, P =0.00006). Hispanic families supported linkage on chromosomes 11 (D11S1984, lod=1.56, P =0.007), 13 (D13S787, lod=1.30, P =0.01) and 20 (D20S470, lod=1.71, P =0.005). These results suggest that multiple genes may be involved in controlling skin reactivity to Dermatophoigoies .