Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes are associated with the risk of episodes of high-level and detectable viremia among HIV controllers

Background: HIV controllers (HICs) constitute a heterogeneous group of HIV-1 individuals able to suppress plasma viremia to low or undetectable levels in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. Host genetic factors may be involved in the sustained control of viral replication observed. We investigated the distribution and the potential impact of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-B and -C alleles, killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NLRP3, CARD8 and IL-1β inflammasome genes, and CCR5Δ32 mutation on the viral control among HICs.