Polymorphisms in the genes encoding RLR and TLR3 and CMV DNAemia in subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pathogen that is common worldwide and is often present in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are host sensors that activate the immune response against infectious agents. However, it is unclear whether PRR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the occurrence of CMV DNAemia in subjects coinfected with HIV and CMV. HIV/CMV-coinfected patients with and without CMV DNAemia were recruited for this study. The DDX58 rs10813831 and IFIH1 (rs3747517 and rs1990760) polymorphisms were genotyped using the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination Assay, whereas the DDX58 rs12006123 and TLR3 (rs3775291 and rs3775296) SNPs were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. A mutation present in at least one allele of the DDX58 rs12006123 SNP occurred at least two times more frequently in HIV/CMV-coinfected patients with CMV DNAemia than in coinfected subjects without CMV DNAemia (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.33-4.68; p = 0.004, in the dominant model). A higher level of CMV DNAemia was observed in subjects who had the heterozygous (GA) or homozygous recessive (AA) genotype for the DDX58 rs12006123 SNP compared with those who had the wild-type (GG) genotype (p = 0.0003). Moreover, in subjects with a mutation detected in at least one allele of the DDX58 rs12006123 SNP, a lower serum IFN-β concentration was found compared with those who had a wild-type (GG) genotype for this polymorphism (p = 0.024). The DDX58 rs12006123 SNP is associated with CMV DNAemia in HIV/CMV-coinfected patients.