Null Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5) Genes among the Ijaw Ethnic Population of Nigeria

Background: A deletion of 32 bp in the nucleotide sequence of CCR5 gene results in a defective CCR5 which confers protection from HIV infection in the homozygous state, while reducing the rate of disease progression to AIDS and death in the heterozygous state. The status of the CCR5Δ32 gene has not been reported in Nigeria. Aim: This study was aimed at analyzing single nucleotide polymorphism of CCR5 gene among the Ijaws resident in Yenagoa, Nigeria. Methods: 100 subjects (75 HIV negative and 25 HIV positive control) were recruited for this study. The CCR5 genes were amplified by 2 Stage PCR reaction using GeneAmp 9700 PCR system utilizing specific primers that would flank 32 bp deletion, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing of 20 subjects was done followed by phylogenetic and polymorphism analysis. Results: The results showed that 75 (100%) of the HIV negative subjects had 189 base pair in their CCR5 gene. Nucleotide of the 20 (100%) of the sequenced samples were conservatively same and no SNP was observed. Conclusion: This study documented no SNPs in CCR5 gene of the study population hence; the study population has no protection from HIV infection.