Association of TLR3 1337C/T and 1234C/T polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Sudanese patients: A case–control study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association of TLR3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms 1337 C/T (rs3775290) and 1234 C/T (rs3775291) with the risk of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.MethodsThis case-control study enrolled 136 participants (66 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (cases) and 70 healthy controls). TLR3 polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Demographic/clinical data were collected via standardized questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (significance level: p < 0.05).ResultsFor TLR3 1337 C/T polymorphism, the CT genotype prevalence was significantly higher in cases (47.0%) than in controls (31.4%) (odds ratio = 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.20-0.87, p = 0.0187), while the CC genotype demonstrated protective effects (39.4% in cases vs. 62.9% in controls; odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.94, p = 0.0314). The C allele frequency showed significant between-group differences (odds ratio = 0.46, p = 0.0044). No associations were observed for 1234 C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (p = 1.0). Biochemical analysis revealed significantly elevated alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.0044) and aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.0001) levels in cases than in controls.ConclusionsRegarding TLR3 1337 C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism, the CT genotype increases the risk of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (odds ratio = 0.42), while the CC genotype demonstrates protective effects (odds ratio = 0.26) in Sudanese populations, suggesting its utility as a therapeutic target and prognostic marker. No 1234 C/T associations were observed.