Large-scale candidate gene study of leprosy susceptibility in the Karonga district of northern Malawi

Fitness, J., Floyd, S., Warndorff, D. K., Sichali, L., Mwaungulu, L., Crampin, A. C. , Fine, P. E.M. and Hill, A. V.S. (2004) Large-scale candidate gene study of leprosy susceptibility in the Karonga district of northern Malawi. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 71(3), pp. 330-340. (doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2004.71.330) (PMID:15381816)

Abstract

We present a large case-control candidate gene study of leprosy susceptibility. Thirty-eight polymorphic sites from 13 genes were investigated for their role in susceptibility to leprosy by comparing 270 cases with 452 controls in Karonga district, northern Malawi. Homozygotes for a silent T→C change in codon 352 of the vitamin D receptor gene appeared to be at high risk (odds ratio [OR] = 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6–11.4, P = 0.004), while homozygotes for the McCoy b blood group defining variant K1590E in exon 29 of the complement receptor 1 (formerly CD35) gene appeared to be protected (OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1–0.8, P = 0.02). Borderline evidence for association with leprosy susceptibility was found for seven polymorphic sites in an additional six genes. Some of these apparent associations may be false-positive results from multiple comparisons, and several associations suggested by studies in other populations were not replicated here. These data provide evidence of inter-population heterogeneity in leprosy susceptibility.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Financial support: The leprosy work of the KPS has been funded since its inception by the British Leprosy Relief Association, with contributions from the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations. This study was supported by the Wellcome Trust. Adrian V. S. Hill is a Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Crampin, Professor Mia
• Authors: Fitness, J., Floyd, S., Warndorff, D. K., Sichali, L., Mwaungulu, L., Crampin, A. C., Fine, P. E.M., and Hill, A. V.S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Publisher: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• ISSN: 0002-9637
• ISSN (Online): 1476-1645