CCR5Δ32 in HCV infection, HCV/HIV co-infection, and HCV-related diseases

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution genetics and evolution, 2018-04, Vol.59, p.163-166
• Main Authors: Ellwanger, Joel Henrique, Leal, Bruna Kulmann, Valverde-Villegas, Jacqueline María, Simon, Daniel, Marangon, Camila Guerra, Mattevi, Vanessa Suñé, Lazzaretti, Rosmeri Kuhmmer, Sprinz, Eduardo, Kuhmmer, Regina, Chies, José Artur Bogo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil - epidemiology; CCR5; CCR5Δ32; Cohort Studies; Coinfection - complications; Coinfection - epidemiology; Female; Genetic Variation - genetics; HCV/HIV co-infection; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - genetics; Hepatitis C virus; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Immunogenetics; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Epidemiology; Receptors, CCR5 - genetics
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.02.002

Although a potential involvement of the CCR5Δ32 variant has already been suggested in relation to susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, data from the literature is still quite controversial. Thus, our study evaluated the influence of the CCR5Δ32 allele variant in HCV infection, HCV/HIV co-infection, and HCV-related diseases in individuals from southern Brazil. A total of 1352 individuals were included in this study, divided into the following groups: Control (n = 274); HCV+ (n = 674); HIV+ (n = 300); HCV+/HIV+ (n = 104). Individuals from the HCV+ group were further stratified according to clinical/histological criteria, as HCV+/control (n = 124); HCV+/fibrosis (n = 268); HCV+/cirrhosis (n = 190); HCV+/hepatocarcinoma (n = 92). Considering all individuals included in this study, the following genotype frequencies were observed: wild-type homozygous (wt/wt), 88.76%; heterozygous (wt/Δ32), 10.72%; variant homozygous (Δ32/Δ32), 0.52%. Genotypic frequencies were very similar between the groups. Of note, the frequency of the Δ32 homozygous was quite similar comparing control uninfected against the HCV+ individuals (p > 0.999). The overall Δ32 allele frequency was estimated at 5.88%. Considering the number of Δ32 allele carriers and non-carriers, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups were observed, suggesting that the CCR5Δ32 variant does not influence the susceptibility to HCV infection, HCV/HIV co-infection, or HCV-related diseases in individuals from southern Brazil. •1352 individuals [HCV+ (n=674); HIV+ (n=300); HCV+/HIV+ (n=104); and controls (n=274)] were genotyped for the CCR5Δ32 variant (rs333);•HCV+ patients were evaluated in terms of HCV-related liver diseases [fibrosis (n=268); cirrhosis (n=190); hepatocarcinoma (n=92)];•CCR5Δ32 did not influence the susceptibility to HCV infection, HCV/HIV co-infection, and HCV-related liver diseases;•Ethnic differences did not influence our results.