Asymptomatic Dengue Infection in a Cuban Population Confirms the Protective Role of the RR Variant of the FcγRIIa Polymorphism

Abstract

The role of human Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaR) has been recognized considerably over the last years. These receptors vary in their affinity for IgG subclasses and the intracellular signals elicited by them. Allelic variants of FcgammaR genes may influence the biological phagocyte activity, accounting for an inherited pre-disposition to disease. The specific FcgammaRIIa (CD32) contains a polymorphic variant (H/R131) that has been associated to a reduced risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Here, we investigated the role of this polymorphism in a very well-characterized group of Cuban individuals with antecedents of DHF, dengue fever (DF), or subclinical dengue infection. The HH131 genotype was significantly associated with dengue disease, either DF (*P = 0.016; odds ratio = 4.425; 95% confidence interval = 1.10-20.52) or DHF (P = 0.00018; odds ratio = 10.56; 95% confidence interval = 2.33-54.64) with respect to the subclinical infection.