Genetic Link to Tuberculosis in Sahariya Tribe
Recent research has uncovered a genetic connection explaining the high tuberculosis (TB) rate among the Sahariya tribe of central India. This tribe, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), faces TB rates far exceeding the national average. The study focused on the tribe’s unique maternal genetic markers and their possible role in TB susceptibility.
Sahariya Tribe
- The Sahariya tribe is mainly found in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- With a population of around six lakh, they live in remote forest areas.
- Their houses are simple, made of stone or mud. They speak local dialects and follow traditional ethnic religions, though Hindu values influence their identity.
- The tribe is known for the Saharia Swang dance performed during Holi.
- Their livelihood depends on forest produce, small-scale farming, and labour, with seasonal migration common.
High Tuberculosis Incidence
The Sahariya tribe has an exceptionally high TB incidence rate, between 1,518 and 3,294 cases per 100,000 people. This is much higher than India’s average. Factors like poor nutrition, limited healthcare access, and environmental conditions contribute, but the genetic basis was unexplored until now.
Genetic Study
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University and other institutions analysed mitochondrial DNA from 729 individuals, including 140 Sahariyas and 589 from neighbouring groups. The focus was on maternal haplogroups, which trace maternal ancestry. The study used high-resolution mitochondrial genome analysis and phylogenetic methods to understand gene flow and lineage origins.
Findings
The Sahariya tribe carries two rare maternal haplogroups, N5 and X2, absent in nearby populations. These haplogroups likely arrived through gene flow from western India during the early Iron Age. This founder effect concentrated these lineages in the tribe, possibly influencing immune response and increasing TB susceptibility.
Implications
This research is the first to link a population’s genetic structure with TB susceptibility. It marks the importance of genetic factors alongside environmental and socioeconomic influences like malnutrition and poor healthcare. The findings can guide targeted public health strategies and TB control efforts in vulnerable tribal populations.
Future Research Directions
The study opens pathways to explore mitochondrial function in disease susceptibility. Further research may examine how genetics interact with external factors affecting health. About these relationships can improve healthcare delivery and disease prevention in tribal and marginalised communities.
| Related | |
|---|---|
