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. 9 340

Subject Categories

Pediatrics

Infectious Medicine

Microbiology in the medical area

DOI

10.3389/fcimb.2019.00340

PubMed

31637221

More information

Latest update

10/6/2022