A numerical difference was also observed for TLR9 (rs5743836), where the alternative G allele both in heterozygous (AG) or homozygous states (GG) was apparently associated with CMV infection (cumulative incidence rates of 64.4% and 66.7%, respectively) compared to the AA genotype (51.7%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P -value = 0.256).
Concordant with the results obtained for overall and high-level CMV infection, carriers of the G allele of TLR9 (rs5743836) in the homozygous or heterozygous state showed a trend toward a lower disease-free survival than homozygous carriers of the reference A allele (one-year survival rates: 83.2% versus 90.8%, respectively; log-rank test P -value = 0.149).
First, we have found that the presence in a homozygous state of the alternative allele of TLR3 (rs3775291) (TT genotype) exerts a protective role on the risk of CMV viremia at any level and, with borderline significance, at high-level (≥1,000 IU/ml) infection.