Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

2 Dept. of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Division of Applied Medicine, Medical School, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK

4 Dept. of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5BF, Canada

5 Dept. of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

6 Targeted Drug Delivery Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

7 Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

8 Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran

9 Dept. of Internal Medicine, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10 Dept. of Internal Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

11 Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

12 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

13 Dept. of Biostatistics, Public Health School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Interferon-gamma is an important cytokine, which facilitates immunity against intracellular pathogens. Several factors, including genetic variations of cytokine-producing genes have been shown to influence the progression and severity of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Methods: Between January and December 2012, 87 HCV-infected individuals and 89 individuals without HCV infection were recruited for the study of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) at Interferon Gamma (IFNG) +874 T/A. After extraction of genomic DNA from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) in blood sample of the individuals, Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the SNP at this position.
Results: The frequency of genotype TA was 62.1% in the HCV-infected group, while it was 47.2% for the control group (p=0.033). However, after adjusting for confounders (including alcohol consumption, drug addiction, transfusion, and tattoos), the genotypes at this position did not show any statistically significant association with HCV infection (adjusted P values were above 0.05). The frequency of allele A was slightly higher in patients than the controls (55.2% versus 48.3%).Carriers of A allele were more frequent in patients with HCV infection compared to the control group (55.17% in patients versus 48.31% in the control group; P=0.02). However, after adjustment for confounders, the results were no longer statistically significant (P=0.2).
Conclusion: A carrier status for certain alleles and genotypes at Interferon Gamma (IFNG) +874 T/A may lead to higher susceptibility to HCV infection in a certain population.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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