Identification of A New Biomarker For Herpes Zoster Infection in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Herpes zoster (HZ) is known as a side effect of using biologics in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Incidence of this side effect may be different depending on genetic factors because susceptibility to HZ infection varies by race. Here, we analyzed the statistical relationships of whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with HZ infection in biologics-treated RA patients.The subjects were 321 Japanese female patients (including 56 herpes virus infected patients) of RA using biologics. The relationships of 302,814 SNPs with HZ infection were analyzed using case-control analyses by Fisher’s exact tests. We picked up SNPs (P < 10-8) significantly associated with HZ infection. Then, herpes infection was compared among the genotypes using a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for onset age of RA.Rs10774580 located in 2’-5’-oligoadenylate synthetase like gene (OASL) was significantly associated with herpes virus infection. The minor allele homozygous carrier was positively associated with herpes virus infection in multivariate analysis.We for the first time showed a significant relationship between a genetic factor and HZ infection among RA patients. Rs10774580 may be one of the biomarkers for HZ infection.