Frequency of CCR5 promotorpolymorphism affecting the rate of progression to AIDS [59029-G/A] in Kuwait

To estimate the frequencies of 59029-G and 59029-A alleles associated with slow and rapid progression to AIDS in Kuwaitis. The DNA was extracted from 109 blood samples of healthy unrelated Kuwaitis. The 59029-G/A polymorphism was detected by the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] test. The amplification of a 268-bp fragment of the CCR5 gene encompassing the site of the polymorphism was followed by digestion with restriction endonuclease Bsp 1286I and sizing the DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis. Among 109 individuals genotyped, 10, 44 and 55 were 59029-A/A homozygous, 59029-G/G homozygous and 59029-G/A heterozygous, respectively. The frequency of the G allele was 0.66 [95% CI: 0.59-0.72] while the frequency of the A allele was 0.34 [95% CI: 0.28-0.41]. Conclusions: The frequency of the AIDS-'protective' 59029-G allele in Kuwaitis is significantly higher than the frequency of the 'rapid-progression' 59029-A allele. Moreover, the frequency of the 59029-G allele in Kuwaitis is among the highest reported. However, the difference from the 59029-G allele frequencies of other ethnic groups in some cases is not statistically significant

delta ccr-5 mutation in the CCR-5 chemokine receptor gene conferring resistance to human immunodeficiency virus type 1: frequency in Kuwait

The homozygous deletion of 32 nucleotides in the CCR-5 gene [delta ccr-5] confers resistance to macrophage-tropic HIV-1. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of delta ccr-5 in populations residing in Kuwait. A polymerase chain reaction [PCR] test for delta ccr-5 has been developed. The specificity of the test has been proved by direct sequencing of the PCR products amplified from individuals homozygous for the wild-type allele and from delta ccr-5/wild-type heterozygotes. Among 353 healthy individuals residing in Kuwait [270 Kuwaiti citizens and 83 Bedouins] tested for the delta ccr-5 mutation, 8 heterozygotes have been identified, 4 in each group. No homozygotes for the delta ccr-5 deletion have been found. The frequency of the delta ccr-5 allele in Kuwaiti nationals and Bedouins residing in Kuwait is 0.74 and 2.4%, respectively. The delta ccr-5 mutation is present in populations residing in Kuwait, though its frequency is quite low and can hardly influence the pace of HIV-1 spreading in Kuwait