A non-synonymous polymorphism in IL-23R Gene (rs1884444) is associated with reduced risk to schistosomiasis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in a Kenyan population

Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Schistosomiasis co-infection is common among residents at the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya. About 36% of this population initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) that complicates recovery. Several IL-23R alleles have been associated with susceptibility to both autoimmune and inflammatory diseases through T-helper type 17 (TH17) cells. However, whether or not variants within the IL-23R increase susceptibility to IRIS in western Kenya is unknown. The objective of the current study was to determine the association between IL-23R gene polymorphisms, CD4+ cell counts and HIV RNA levels and IRIS in HIV and Schistosoma mansoni co-infected patients undergoing highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).