Typhoid fever and genetic polymorphisms at the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1

S J Dunstan1, V A Ho, C M Duc

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom. s.dunstan@ic.ac.uk

Insights

Genetic variations in the human NRAMP1 gene do not influence susceptibility to typhoid fever. This study found no association between NRAMP1 alleles and the risk of developing this infection.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) infection, causing typhoid fever, is controlled by natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) in mice.
  • The human homologue, NRAMP1, is a potential candidate gene for influencing typhoid fever resistance in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in the human NRAMP1 gene and susceptibility to typhoid fever in a Vietnamese population.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of 6 polymorphic markers within and near the NRAMP1 gene (chromosome 2q35) in patients with confirmed typhoid fever and healthy controls.
  • Analysis of allelic and genotypic frequencies for single base-pair polymorphisms, a promoter (GT)(n) repeat, and a downstream microsatellite marker.

Main Results:

  • No significant allelic association was found between NRAMP1 gene variants and typhoid fever susceptibility.
  • Neither homozygotes nor heterozygotes for any examined NRAMP1 variants showed an increased risk of developing typhoid fever.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic polymorphisms in the NRAMP1 gene are not a determining factor for typhoid fever susceptibility in the studied Vietnamese population.
  • Further research may be needed to identify other genetic or environmental factors contributing to typhoid fever resistance.

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