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Association between Cryptosporidium infection and human leukocyte antigen class I and class II alleles

Beth D Kirkpatrick1, Rashidul Haque, Priya Duggal

  • 1University of Vermont College of Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. beth.kirkpatrick@uvm.edu

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|February 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Host genetics, specifically human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, may influence susceptibility to Cryptosporidium infection in Bangladeshi children. This study highlights a potential genetic component in immune responses to this common diarrheal pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Immunogenetics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium species are a significant cause of diarrhea, particularly in young children and immunocompromised individuals.
  • Cryptosporidiosis can lead to severe and prolonged illness, impacting child health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of host genetics in susceptibility to Cryptosporidium infection.
  • To assess the community impact of cryptosporidiosis in Bangladeshi children.
  • To identify potential genetic markers associated with Cryptosporidium infection.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 226 Bangladeshi children aged 2-5 years over 3 years.
  • Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection and characterization of disease presentation (asymptomatic, symptomatic, recurrent).
  • Genetic analysis to identify associations between host genetics (HLA alleles) and infection status.

Main Results:

  • 42.5% of children were diagnosed with Cryptosporidium infection; 22.6% had asymptomatic infections.
  • Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II DQB1*0301 allele carriage was associated with both asymptomatic and symptomatic infection (P = .009).
  • A strong association was found between the DQB1*0301/DRB1*1101 haplotype and infection development (P = .009); HLA class I B*15 allele was also linked to infection.

Conclusions:

  • This study suggests a possible genetic component in the immune response to Cryptosporidium infection, involving specific HLA class I and II alleles.
  • Cryptosporidiosis is common and frequently recurrent in Bangladeshi children aged 2-5 years.
  • The clinical presentation in this age group includes shorter diarrhea duration and more pronounced abdominal pain compared to younger children.
Abstract

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