KIR2DL2, KIR2DL5A and KIR2DL5B Genes Induce Susceptibility to Dengue Virus Infection, while KIR3DL3 and KIR2DS5 Confer Protection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dengue fever (DF), an emerging and re-emerging viral disease, is a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of KIRs genes polymorphism and KIRs genotypes in susceptibility to dengue virus infection and disease severity in a population from Burkina Faso through a case-control study. METHODS: KIRs genes determination was performed using PCR-SSP in 50 patients infected by dengue virus (DENV) and 54 Healthy controls (HC) subjects who had never been infected. RESULTS: Data analysis showed significant association between frequencies of three KIR genes and dengue virus infection (DF): KIR2DL2 (OR: 7.32; IC: 2.87–18.65; P < 0.001); KIR2DL5A (OR: 15.00, IC: 5.68–39.59; P < 0.001) and KIR2DL5B (OR: 11.43; IC: 4.42–29; P < 0.001). While, KIR3DL3 (OR: 0.13, IC: 0.052–0.32; P < 0.001) and KIR2DS5 (OR: 0.12; IC: 0.04–0.30; P < 0.001) were associated with protection against DF. KIR2DL4 (OR: 9.75; IC95%: 1.33–70.97; p: 0.03) and KIRD3DL1 (OR: 12.00; IC95%: 1.60–90.13; p: 0.02) were associated with an increased risk in the development of secondary dengue infection (SDI). CONCLUSION: The results suggest a contribution of KIR2DL2, KIR2DL5A, and KIR2DL5B genes in the susceptibility of DF development. In contrast, KIR3DL3 and KIR2DS5 were associated with protection against DF development by enhancing both innate and acquired immune responses.