Genetic variation in toll like Receptor 2, 7, 9 and interleukin-6 influences risk of Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy
Abstract Background: Maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and/or reactivation in pregnancy is associated with a myriad of adverse infant outcomes. However, the role of host genetic polymorphisms in modulating maternal CMV status is inconclusive. This study investigated the possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in toll like receptor (TLR) and cytokine genes with maternal plasma CMV DNA status in black Zimbabweans. Results: The TLR2 rs1816702C/C (p=0.002), TLR7 rs179008C/C (p<0.001) and TLR9 rs352139C/C (p=0.003) genotypes were associated with a CMV+ status. In contrast, the interleukin ( IL)-6 rs10499563T/C TLR2 rs1816702C/C (p=0.002) genotype was associated (p<0.001) with CMV- status. Furthermore, genotype and allele frequencies of SNPs in TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, TLR7 , IL - 6 , IL-10 , IL-28B , IL-1A and interferon AR1 ( IFNAR1 ) genes are being reported here in a Zimbabwean population. Conclusions: Toll like receptor and interleukin genetic polymorphisms influence CMV status in late gestation among black Zimbabweans. This is attributable to possible modulation of immune responses to CMV reactivation in a population that was previously exposed to CMV infection.