Comparison of koala immune response to vaccination: evaluation of immune gene diversity via whole-genome sequencing

Five koalas from a captive Australian population were found to display differential immune responses to a trial vaccine against chlamydia. Whole-genome sequencing was employed to determine whether diversity at immune genes may modulate immune responses to chlamydia vaccine. Immune genes predicted to play a role in resistance and susceptibility to chlamydia infection were characterised and diversity at these genes was evaluated. Basic case/control association tests revealed the MHCII DMA and DMB genes, as well as the CD8-a gene, may be involved in differential immune responses to chlamydia vaccine.