Susceptibility to HIV-1 infections is, beside other factors, determined by individual host genetic variants like HLA class I alleles, CCR5 and CCR2 variants and levels of CCR5 binding chemokines. A new approach to determine the individual risk of acquiring an HIV infection or to estimate the disease progression could now be possible. In a recent study, a significant interindividual and interpopulation difference in the copy number of a segmental duplication encompassing the gene encoding CCL3L1, a potent human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV- 1)-suppressive chemokine was found. Possession of a CCL3L1 copy number lower than the population average was associated with markedly enhanced HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) susceptibility. This could lead to a screening test that identifies people who have a higher or lower susceptibility to HIV/ AIDS, potentially enabling clinicians to adapt treatment regimens. Also, this is particularly important for assessment of the efficacy of a protective vaccine.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jülg, B., Goebel, F.D. Susceptibility to HIV/AIDS: An Individual Characteristic We Can Measure?. Infection 33, 160–162 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-005-6305-4
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-005-6305-4