The Impact of CXCL12 rs1801157 Genetic  Variation on Viral Skin Infections

Zainab A. Tolaifeh; Israa A. Ibraheam; Shireen S. Kamil; Oruba K. Al-Bermani; Tsahel H. Al-Dulaimi; Zeana Al-hindi

Zainab A. Tolaifeh University of Babylon, College of Science for Women, Department of Biology, Iraq
Israa A. Ibraheam University of Babylon, College of Science for Women, Department of Biology, Iraq
Shireen S. Kamil University of Babylon, College of Science for Women, Department of Biology, Iraq
Oruba K. Al-Bermani University of Babylon, College of Science for Women, Department of Biology, Iraq
Tsahel H. Al-Dulaimi University of Babylon, College of Science for Women, Department of Biology, Iraq
Zeana Al-hindi University of Babylon, College of Science for Women, Department of Biology,Iraq

Keywords: Keywords: CXCL12, Gene Polymorphism, Skin Infections, RFLP, Viral Warts

Abstract

Introduction: Viral skin diseases constitute a significant portion of skin disorders worldwide, encompassing a wide spectrum of illnesses exhibiting diverse clinical manifestations and varying degrees of severity.
A body’s immunity plays a vital role in the elimination of viral infections. The chemokines are a type of cytokine that are considered essential for the regulation of the migration of immune cells during inflammation.
Among these chemokines is CXCL12 that shows pro-inflammatory characteristics and cytotoxic activity. There are many genetic variations in the gene encoding this chemokine, including rs1801157, positioned
in the 3’ untranslated region, resulting in the conversion of guanine to adenine.
Methods: Sixty-one patients with viral skin diseases and 31 healthy individuals were enrolled in this investigation. Patients were categorised into two groups: those infected with human papillomavirus (HPV)
and those with molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). HPV and MCV infections were clinically diagnosed by dermatologists. The genotype ofthe CXCL12 rs1801157 polymorphism was determined using restriction
length polymorphism analysis on peripheral blood samples.
Results: Patients infected with HPV and MCV ranged in age from 4 to 50 years and from 2 to 64 years, respectively. The male-to-female ratio among infected patients was 1.4:1. A statistically significant association
was found between the A allele of the CXCL12 rs1801157 polymorphism and susceptibility to HPV infection, with carriers of the A allele showing an increased risk of infection (odds ratio = 2.52; 95% confidence interval:
1.18–5.38; p = 0.02). No statistically significant association was observed between this polymorphism and MCV infection.
Conclusion: This investigation proposes that CXCL12 rs1801157 A allele may serve as a possible biogenetic marker of susceptibility to HPV infection and provides insight into the interaction between virus and
host in skin infections.
Keywords: CXCL12, Gene Polymorphism, Skin Infections, RFLP, Viral Warts

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202637

How to cite this article:
Tolaifeh Z A, Ibraheam I A, Kamil S S, Al-Bermani O K, Al-Dulaimi T H, Al-Hindi Z. The Impact of CXCL12 rs1801157 Genetic Variation on Viral Skin Infections. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(2):120-128.

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