Ninjurin 1 gene asp110ala genetic variants as a susceptibility factor in nerve damage leprosy patients of India

•First report to associate the asp110ala polymorphisms in the Ninj1 gene with nerve damage in Tamil Nadu, South India.•Ninjurin 1 gene CC Homozygous as a risk of leprosy.•Genetic variants were observed in leprosy patient's disability grade, DG > 2 followed by DG > 1.

BackgroundLeprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae, the obligate intracellular bacillus that attacks cutaneous tissue and can damage the peripheral nervous system.AimTo determine the association between the Ninjurin 1 gene asp110ala (rs2275848) polymorphism in nerve damage leprosy patients.Meterials and methodsWe carried the 234 leprosy patients along with equal number of controls with age and gender-matched were recruited. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism and confirmation of sequence.ResultsThe CC genotype (ala/ala) had a higher risk of developing nerve disability when compared those carrying the AA genotype (asp/asp) and the variation observed were statistically significant at P < 0.05.ConclusionThe Ninjurin 1 gene asp110ala genetic variation may be a risk of nerve damage among leprosy patients in south India.