Genetic polymorphism of the chemokine co-receptors CCR5, CXCR4 and CCR2 in Bulgarians living with HIV

The aim of this study was to investigate the most spread genetic polymorphisms of the chemokine co-receptors CCR5, CXCR4 and CCR2 - namely the allele frequency of CCR5del32, SDF-1 3 ' A and CCR2 V641 in 177 Bulgarians living with HIV as well as to correlate the results to the clinical course of HIV-infection and the same allele frequency for general population. The persons studied were of different duration of HIV-infection - registered during the period 1987-2004. Fourteen persons (7.9%) showed slow progression to AIDS, received therapy after no treatment for 7- 10 years and were considered Long Term Survivors (LTSs). All HIV(+)s have been screened for CCR5 (CCR5del32) and 48 -for CXCR4 (SDF-1) (SDF-1 3 ' A) and CCR2 (CCR2 V641) polymorphisms. No one from HIV positives has been found with a homozygous - CCR5del32/CCR5del32 - status, 6 out of all studied (3.2%) had heterozygous (CCR5/CCR5del32) genotype (only two LTSs). Seven out of 48 persons studied (14.6%) had homozygous (SDF-1 3 ' AISDF- 1 3 ' A) genotype, (3 - LTSs), another 12 (25%) showed heterozygocity for CCR2 (CCR2/CCR2V641 - 2 - LTSs). The LTSs heterozygous by CCR5 (CCR5/CCR5del32), those displaying (SDF-1 3'A/SDF-1 3 ' A) homozygocity and both (13.33%) demonstrating (CCR2/CCR2V64I) heterozygous genotype were different pet-sons. Although low numbers of persons studied, the results obtained coincide well to the literature ones. The genetic studies will be used to predict the results of HAART treatment as well as the onset to AIDS.