Italian multicentric pilot study on MBL2 genetic polymorphisms in HIV positive pregnant women and their children

Objective. We investigated genetic polymorphisms of MBL2 gene, in a cohort of 90 italian HIV-1 pregnant seropositive women and their children in order to understand whether the MBL2 genotype of HIV-1 positive mothers might be related to their ability to transmit the virus to their children. Materials and methods. DNA was extracted from Iso Code Stix cards, and MBL2 genoptyping was performed by Melting Temperature Assay. Results. The frequency of the MBL2 0/0 homozygotes was higher in HIV-1 positive mothers than in healthy controls, the MBL2 0/0 genotype was more frequent in children born from HIV positive mothers than healthy subjects. Conclusions. We have confirmed the association of polymorphisms involving a gene of the innate immunity with an increased risk of being infected by HIV. These polymorphisms were also evidenced in children born from HIV + mothers, but the risk of infection was strongly reduced by cesarean delivery and by antiretroviral treatment.