FREQUENCY OF THE CCR5 DELTA-32 MUTANT ALLELE IN HIV-1-POSITIVE PATIENTS, FEMALE SEX WORKERS, AND A NORMAL POPULATION IN TAIWAN

A specific 32-nucleotide deletion mutant of the CCR5 gene (Delta ccr5) , the coreceptor gene for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), can effectively suppress the transmission and pathogenesis of the vir us. Individuals homozygous for the Delta ccr5 allele resist primary ma crophage-tropic HIV-1 infection, despite multiple high-risk sexual exp osures. This gene deletion is relatively common among Caucasians but u ncommon among Africans, Asians, and South Americans. We used polymeras e chain reaction (PCR) technology to determine the frequency of the De lta ccr5 allele in a Taiwanese population with diverse health status a nd social backgrounds. Subjects included 24 HIV-infected persons in th e northern and southern parts of Taiwan; 131 HIV-1 high-risk, Licensed female sex workers in the northern part of the island (21% of whom we re aborigines); and 187 unrelated, healthy, HIV-1-negative individuals in southern Taiwan. PCR with primers encompassing the entire CCR5 gen e was used to explore possible deletions at regions other than the 32- nucleotide area in the female sex workers. No ccr5 deletions were dete cted, indicating that they are rare or absent in the Taiwanese populat ion. This finding implies that Delta ccr5 is not likely to be part of the defense against the spread of HIV-1 infection in Taiwanese.