Susceptibility of CTLA-4 −1661A/G polymorphism towards severity of rheumatic heart disease

Genetic contribution in acute rheumatic fever (ARF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has been suggested but not according to severity of the valve involvement. This study attempts to identify the relevance of CTLA-4 polymorphism with severity of the disease. In a case-control design, 291 healthy controls and 83 patients were genotyped for association between RHD and single-nucleotide polymorphisms −1661A/G of CTLA-4. Segregation of patients on the basis of severity i.e., MVL (Mitral Valve Lesion) and CVL (Combined Valve Lesion) revealed that the frequency of CTLA-4 −1661G allele depleted as the disease progressed to CVL (p