Association of interferon lambda polymorphisms with elevated baseline viral loads in chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection

In this study, we have investigated the host genetic variations inIFNL loci to determine the association ofIFNL3/4 polymorphisms with HCV SC and baseline VLs in a Vietnamese HCV-seropositive cohort. The majority of the cohort harboured major homozygous polymorphisms inIFNL3/4 cluster (i.e. rs12979860-CC: 82.7%; rs8099917-TT: 84.8% and rs368234815-TT/TT: 85.5%) and the SC rates in these groups were 15.8%, 16.3% and 15.7%, respectively. In the minor allele groups, the resolution rates were lower (12% in rs12979860 non-CC, 9.1% in rs8099917 non-TT and 9.5% in rs368234815 non-TT/TT). Furthermore, in individuals harbouring minor alleles, females achieved higher SC rates than males. HCV g6-infected rs12979860 major homozygous individuals had significantly higher viral loads than individuals with minor alleles (CC: 6.56 log IU/ml vs. non-CC: 5.66 log IU/ml;P = 0.021). The association betweenIFNL3/4 genotypes with elevated HCV VL observed in HCV g6-infected individuals may have implications for the progression of liver disease in Southeast Asian countries where this viral genotype predominates and therefore warrants further studies.
Source: Archives of Virology - Category: Virology Source Type: research