IFNL4 Genotypes Predict Clearance of RNA Viruses in Rwandan Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Journal article, 2019
Polymorphisms in the interferon lambda gene locus (IFNL) such as the IFNL4 genetic variants rs12979860 and rs368234815 are predictive of resolution of hepatitis C virus infection, but information about the impact of these variants in other infections is scarce. This study aimed at determining the potential impact of IFNL4 variation for the clearance of respiratory tract pathogens in Rwandan children (<= 5 years old, n = 480) seeking medical care for acute respiratory infections. Nasopharyngeal swabs were retrieved from all children at the first hospital referral and from 161 children at follow-up visits 2 weeks later. The swabs were analyzed for pathogens by real-time PCR and for host cell IFNL4 genotype at rs12979860 and rs368234815. Approximately 1/3 of the children were homozygous for the rs12979860 T allele and the rs368234815 Delta G allele, which are overrepresented in subjects of African descent. These IFNL4 variants were significantly associated with reduced clearance of RNA viruses. Our results suggest that IFNL4 genotypes that are common among subjects of African descent may determine inefficacious clearance of RNA viruses from the respiratory tract.
interferon lambda
rs368234815
upper respiratory tract
infection
rs12979860
RNA virus
single nucleotide polymorphisms
dinucleotide polymorphisms
Author
Belson Rugwizangoga
University of Rwanda
University of Gothenburg
Maria E. Andersson
University of Gothenburg
Jean-Claude Kabayiza
University of Gothenburg
University of Rwanda
Malin S. Nilsson
University of Gothenburg
Brynja Armannsdottir
University of Gothenburg
Johan Aurelius
University of Gothenburg
Staffan Nilsson
University of Gothenburg
Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Kristoffer Hellstrand
University of Gothenburg
Magnus Lindh
University of Gothenburg
Anna Martner
University of Gothenburg
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
22352988 (eISSN)
Vol. 9 340Subject Categories
Pediatrics
Infectious Medicine
Microbiology in the medical area
DOI
10.3389/fcimb.2019.00340
PubMed
31637221