IL-18 SNP (rs 1946518) and Vulnerability to HBV Infection

Abstract

Despite development of vaccines and antiviral treatment, HBV continues to be significant health threaten globally and many risk factor associated with HBV chronic infection including fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Pro-inflammatory cytokine as IL -18 has pivotal role in many infectious and inflammatory disease. Genetic variations of IL-18 may be having an impact to HBV chronic infection. Aim. Our investigation aimed to understanding role of IL-18 SNP (rs 1946518) and vulnerability to HBV chronic infection.  Methods.  A total of ninety blood samples were included in this study; thirty sample were collected from individuals infected with HBV and CKD; those patients with mean age 48.8 ± 13.57 and thirty CKD patients without HBV infection. Thirty healthy individuals were selected randomly to represent the control group with mean age 36 ± 10.16 for comparison purpose. Genomic DNA for both groups was extracted.  Results.  Our findings revealed increased level serum IL-18 in HBV and HDP patients were the mean concentration 350.23±185.17 pg / ml as compared to control group with less mean concentration 176.53±50.33 pg / ml. Genotyping and allele frequencies of (rs 1946518) showed non-significant variation between patients and control were (P > 0.05). Moreover. individuals with CA and AA mutation are more likely to be infected with HBV in comparison with individuals with wild type AA and there was significant correlation between IL-18-607 C/A SNP and its concentration.  Conclusion. CHBV patients and HDP patients have higher level of IL-18 in comparison with healthy individuals with less level. IL-18 -607 C/A had an impact on the level of this pro-inflammatory cytokine. Also, individuals with CA and AA mutation at high risk to HBV and CKD infection than those individuals with CC genotype.