Toll-like receptor gene variants and bacterial vaginosis among HIV-1 infected and uninfected African women

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal syndrome associated with altered microflora that increases the risk of preterm delivery and acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases. The cause of BV is unknown although toll-like receptors (TLRs) that initiate the innate immune response may be important. We evaluated associations between TLR SNPs and BV among HIV-1 infected and uninfected African women. Logistic regression and a GEE model were used to assess associations between SNPs in TLRs 2-4, 7-9 and BV as classified by Nugent's criteria. Among HIV-1 uninfected women, TLR7 rs5743737, TLR7 rs1634323 and TLR2 rs1898830 were associated with a decreased risk of BV while TLR7 rs179012 was associated with an increased risk. TLR2 SNPs rs1898830 and rs3804099 were associated with a decreased risk of BV among HIV-1 infected women. Our findings indicate that HIV-1 infection may modify the association of TLR variants with risk for BV.