Regional variation in CCR5-Δ32 gene distribution among women from the US HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS).

Downer, M.V.; Hodge, T.; Smith, D.K.; Qari, S.H.; Schuman, P.; Mayer, K.H.; Klein, R.S.; Vlahov, D.; Gardner, L.I.; McNicholl, J.M.

The CCR5-Δ32 genotype is known to influence HIV-1 transmission and disease. We genotyped 1301 US women of various races/ethnicities participating in the HIV Epidemiologic Research Study. None was homozygous for CCR5Δ32. The distribution of heterozygotes was similar in HIV-1 infected and uninfected women. Thirty-seven (11.8%) white, 28 (3.7%) blacks/African Americans (AA), seven (3.3%) Hispanics/Latinas, and one (6.6%) other race/ethnicity were heterozygous. The frequency of heterozygotes differed among sites for all races combined (P = 0.001). More heterozygotes were found in AA women in Rhode Island (8.9%) than in the other sites (3.1%) (P = 0.02), while heterozygosity in white women was most common in Maryland (28.6%) (P = 0.025). These regional differences could be accounted for by racial admixture in AAs, but not in whites. Regional variations should be considered when studying host genetic factors and HIV-1 in US populations.

UNITED States; HIV infection genetics; CHEMOKINES

Genes & Immunity, 2002, Vol 3, Issue 5, p295

1466-4879

Academic Journal

10.1038/sj.gene.6363884