Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1-3'A Polymorphism Favors HIV-1 Infection in Mexican Women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1)-3'A polymorphism to HIV-1 infection, CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts, and viral load levels in a northwestern Mexican population.

METHODS: We investigated allele and genotype frequencies of the SDF1-3'A polymorphism in 634 mestizo individuals from Northwest Mexico (204 HIV-1 infected persons, 256 uninfected blood donors, and 174 uninfected female sex workers) by the PCR- RFLP method and compared them using a x(2) test. We also searched for correlations between the polymorphism and CD4+ T lymphocyte and viral load counts.

RESULTS: No differences were observed in the frequencies of alleles and genotypes between patients and controls. However, in female patients we found a significantly increased prevalence of both the A allele and GA heterozygous genotype compared to male patients, female blood donors, and female sex workers.

CONCLUSION: Here we describe the association of the SDF1-3'A polymorphism with HIV-1 infection only in women, but not to CD4+ T-lymphocyte categories, viral load levels in patients with HIV-1/AIDS, or to exposure levels in female sex workers.