Host genes associated with infectious diseases in livestock: implications for disease-resistance breeding and disease prevention.

As global demand for animal protein continues to rise, higher stocking densities have increased the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. Conventional control strategies, including vaccination, antimicrobial use, and biosafety management, are increasingly constrained by pathogen evolution, antimicrobial resistance, and the need for sustained interventions. Improving host genetic resistance provides a complementary approach to disease prevention by reducing susceptibility to infection and limiting pathogen spread within animal populations. This review summarizes recent progress in identifying host genes involved in pathogen infection in livestock, focusing on those that influence host susceptibility or resistance. Representative examples of disease-resistant livestock are discussed to illustrate the translational potential of these genes. We also evaluate current challenges and biosafety considerations associated with the use of disease-resistant livestock, thereby supporting the integration of disease-resistance breeding into disease prevention strategies.