Toll-like receptor gene variants and bacterial vaginosis among HIV-1 infected and uninfected African women

Genes Immun. 2015 Jul-Aug;16(5):362-365. doi: 10.1038/gene.2015.13. Epub 2015 Apr 30.

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal syndrome associated with altered microflora that increases the risk of preterm delivery and acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases. The cause of BV is unknown although toll-like receptors (TLRs), that are central to innate immune responses, may be important. We evaluated associations between TLR SNPs and BV among HIV-1 infected and uninfected African women. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between SNPs (N=99) in TLRs 2-4, 7-9 and BV (as classified by Nugent's criteria). Among HIV-1 uninfected women, TLR7 rs5743737 and TLR7 rs1634323 were associated with a decreased risk of BV, whereas TLR7 rs179012 was associated with an increased risk. TLR2 SNP rs3804099 was associated with a decreased risk of BV among HIV-1 infected women. Our findings indicate that there may be differences in TLR association with BV among HIV-1 infected and HIV-1 uninfected women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / genetics*
  • Adult
  • Africa
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Toll-Like Receptors / genetics*
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / genetics*

Substances

  • Toll-Like Receptors