Four genetic polymorphisms located at the promoter (C-257T) and coding regions of CFH gene (exon 2 G257A, exon 14 A2089G and exon 19 G2881T) were investigated in 121 dengue patients (DENV-3) in order to assess the relationship between allele/haplotypes variants and clinical outcomes. A statistical value was found between the CFH-257T allele (TT/TC genotypes) and reduced susceptibility to severe dengue (SD). Statistical associations indicate that individuals bearing a T allele presented significantly higher protein levels in plasma. The –257T variant is located within a NF-κB binding site, suggesting that this variant might have effect on the ability of the CFH gene to respond to signals via the NF-κB pathway. The G257A allelic variant showed significant protection against severe dengue. When CFH haplotypes effect was considered, the ancestral CG/CG promoter-exon 2 SNP genotype showed significant risk to SD either in a general comparison (ancestral × all variant genotypes), as well as in individual genotypes comparison (ancestral × each variant genotype), where the most prevalent effect was observed in the CG/CG × CA/TG comparison. These findings support the involvement of –257T, 257A allele variants and haplotypes on severe dengue phenotype protection, related with high basal CFH expression.

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BACKGROUND Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients may have associated dry eye. This can be associated (or not) with secondary Sjögren's Syndrome. It is unknown if the occurrence of the dryness is associated with SLE activity or cumulative damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 70 SLE patients for the presence of dry eye by Schirmer test, disease activity by SLEDAI (SLE-Disease activity index) and cumulative damage by SLICC/ACR (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology). Patients were also submitted to the OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) questionnaire and to the questioning of the presence of dry eye and dry mouth. Epidemiological and treatment data and autoantibody profile were extracted from the charts. RESULTS Dry eye by Schirmer test was present in 51.4% of the sample. No association of the presence of dry eye with SLEDAI and SLICC were found, neither with subjective feeling of dryness (all with p=ns). SLEDAI was higher in those that complained of dry eye (p=0.03). Treatment profile did not influence in the presence of dry eye (p=ns) that was more common in older patients (p< 0.0001). Anti dsDNA had a negative association with the presence of positive Schirmer test (p=0.0008). CONCLUSION Dry eye detected by Schirmer test in SLE patients has no association with disease activity nor cumulative damage. Anti dsDNA seems to have a protective effect in this context.