A Fas gene polymorphism influences herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in South African women
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Determination of Biofilm Initiation on Virus-infected Cells by Bacteria and Fungi
Published on: July 6, 2016
Koushik Chatterjee1, Collet Dandara, Ulf Gyllensten
1Division of Medical Virology, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Abstract:
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide that causes genital infection. Among several factors responsible, host genetic factors may play an important role in susceptibility to HSV-2 infection. Apoptosis is a vital mechanism in eliminating virus-infected cells and controlling viral infections. Apoptosis can be regulated and triggered by the interaction between Fas and Fas Ligand (FasL). Polymorphisms in genes encoding Fas and FasL might result in altered apoptosis and contribute in susceptibility to viral infections. Two polymorphisms in Fas gene (FasR-1377G > A, FasR-670A > G) and one in FasL gene (FasL-844T > C) have been well studied and associated with different diseases. These polymorphisms were investigated in 407 South African women of black African and mixed-ancestry origin to determine if they were associated with HSV-2 seropositivity. Two hundred sixty-five women were HSV-2 infected and 142 were non-infected. HSV-2 was detected using HerpeSelect ELISA test and genotyping was performed using TaqMan assay. FasR-1377A allele showed a statistically significant association (P = 0.008) with reduced risk of HSV-2 infection. Analyzing the FasR haplotypes also showed a statistically significant association (P = 0.0001) with FasR-1377/FasR-670 AG haplotype and reduced risk of HSV-2 infection. There was no significant association found with FasR-670A > G and FasL-844T > C polymorphisms and risk of HSV-2 infection. This is, to our knowledge, the first time a non-HLA genetic link with HSV-2 infection has been reported.
More Related Videos
06:21Quantitative Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and Immunofluorescence (IF) of Specific Gene Products in KSHV-Infected Cells
Published on: August 27, 2019
14:23A Restriction Enzyme Based Cloning Method to Assess the In vitro Replication Capacity of HIV-1 Subtype C Gag-MJ4 Chimeric Viruses
Published on: August 31, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Genital Herpes
Herpes
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Amebiasis
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...