Haptoglobin polymorphism in a HIV-1 seropositive Brazilian population
- 1Clinical Pathology Department, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas–UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil
- 2Clinical Medicine Department, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas–UNICAMP
- Correspondence to: Dr Maria de Fatima Sonati Department of Clinical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas–UNICAMP, Campinas, PO Box 6111, São Paulo state, 13083-970 Brazil; sonati{at}fcm.unicamp.br
- Accepted 13 August 2005
Abstract
Background: Haptoglobin (Hp) is a plasma protein with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Three main genotypes/phenotypes (Hp1-1, Hp2-1, Hp2-2) show distinctive efficiencies in their activities and have been related to susceptibility and outcome in different diseases, including HIV infection.
Objective: To compare Hp genotype distribution between HIV-1 seropositive patients and healthy controls.
Methods: 387 Brazilian HIV-1 seropositive patients, subclassified as A, B, and C according to the Centers for Disease Control, were compared with 142 healthy controls. The influence of the polymorphism on iron status (serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation), acute phase proteins (Hp, C reactive protein, fibrinogen, albumin), the HIV-1 viral load, and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts was examined.
Results: Apart from finding lower Hp concentrations among individuals with genotype Hp2-2, no other significant difference was observed.
Conclusions: No association was found between Hp genotype and either HIV status or indices of HIV progression.
