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

ABSTRACT

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