Apolipoprotein L1 Genetic Variants in Cameroonians with chronic kidney disease: A case control study

Abstract Background: This study aimed at investigating the apolipoprotein L1 genetic variants in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease among Cameroonians. Methods : A total of 179 non-diabetic CKD (100 cases and 79 controls), matched for; age, sex and comorbidities were included and genotyped by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Apolipoprotein L1 risk variants at the Division of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town, South Africa and at the National Centre for Filariasis and other Tropical diseases in Yaounde, Cameroon. Cases were patients with a biological or biopsy-proven diagnosis of CKD whereas Controls were patients with a risk factor for CKD except for diabetes with a normal renal function. Results : Frequencies of the two risk alleles was twofold higher amongst cases (29%) compared to the controls (13.9%). The odds of having the two APOL 1 genetic variants (GI/G2) was 2,5folds in cases compared to controls (p=0.016; OR=2.53) in the recessive model of inheritance. The odds were even higher for the APOL1 G1 risk allele in the recessive model of inheritance (p = 0.007; OR 3.91). Conclusion : Apolipoprotein L1 genetic variants are common in the Cameroonians and may contribute to the susceptibility to non-diabetic chronic kidney in this population.