Prevalence of CCR2 gene polymorphisms among HIV infected individuals from different regions in Kenya

Abstract

Chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) is a co-receptor for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus- I (HIV-I) into the target cells. Patients with the CCR2 mutations may progress to AIDS at least 2-4 years later than individuals carrying the normal gene. A G-to-A transition at position 190 characterizes the CCR2-64I mutation. This mutation has been identified as an important factor for delaying progression to AIDS. The effect of CCR2 polymorphism on HIV-1 disease progression has not been explored in depth within Africa. The status of CCR2 gene polymorphisms among HIV infected individuals in the Kenyan population is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the existence and distribution of CCR2 gene mutations and to identify the different polymorphic groups of the co-receptor gene among HIV infected individuals in the Kenyan population.