HLA-G 3' untranslated region 14-base pair deletion: association with poor survival in an HIV-1-infected Zimbabwean population.

We aimed to evaluate whether the HLA-G 14-base pair (bp) polymorphism (rs16375) has an impact on human immunodeficiency virus HIV progression and survival in an antiretroviral therapy-naive Zimbabwean cohort (n = 312). Rs16375 was genotyped using a competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction system; CD4 cell counts and HIV RNA were measured with flow cytometry and commercially available polymerase chain reaction; survival was followed up for 4.3 years.

A genetic risk factor for low serum ferritin levels in Danish blood donors.

Background: Iron deficiency is a frequent side effect of blood donation. In recent years, several studies have described genetic variants associated with iron concentrations. However, the impact of these variants on iron levels is unknown in blood donors.