Abstract
Because chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) may have a role in pulmonary immune response, we explored whether patients with severe pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were more likely to carry the CCR5Δ32 allele than were members of the general population. We found a large proportion of heterozygosity for the CCR5Δ32 allele among white patients with severe disease.
Highlights
Because chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) may have a role in pulmonary immune response, we explored whether patients with severe pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were more likely to carry the CCR5Δ32 allele than were members of the general population
Persons who are homozygous for the CCR5Δ32 allele, a condition in which a 32-bp deletion in the CCR5 gene prevents its expression on the cell surface, have been shown to have reduced susceptibility to HIV infection; the heterozygous state delays HIV disease progression [1,2,3]
The frequency of CCR5Δ32 heterozygosity among white populations has been reported to range from 10% to 15% [12,13]; we found CCR5Δ32 heterozygosity at a higher than expected frequency (55.5%) among white patients with critical illness caused by pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Summary
Because chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) may have a role in pulmonary immune response, we explored whether patients with severe pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were more likely to carry the CCR5Δ32 allele than were members of the general population. Until recently, understanding the role of CCR5 in supporting the antiviral immune response was limited to appreciation of the role of receptor deficiency in protecting from HIV infection and disease progression.
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