Connexin 26 (GJB2) Gene Mutations Linked With Autosomal Recessive Nonsyndromic Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Iraqi Population.

Abstract Objectives: The ARNSHL wasn’t been studied enough in Iraq, this study aimed to detect the prevalence of the three most common mutations of Connexin 26 gene in Iraqi population. This study was conducted in order to detect c.35delG, c.235delC and c.167delT mutations in GJB2 gene, we were employed PCR-RFLP assays. Results: The current case-control study was conducted from January 2018 to January 2020, The study was included 95 deaf patients (55 males and 40 females) their age range between 11-40 years and 21.5 ± 6.3 year (mean ± SD) and 110 healthy control group, their ages range between 10-40 years and 20.1 ± 5.9 year (mean ± SD), these two groups were matched in age and gender. From 95 deaf patients with ARNSHL who were participated in this study, c.35delG was the main frequent mutation encountered with GJB2 gene, The second frequent mutation was c.235delC, None of 95 deaf patients were showed the c.167delT mutation, these variants were not detected in healthy control group which was studied parallel with patients group. Our data conclude that GJB2 c.35delG and c.235delC gene mutations were the main cause of ARNSHL in Iraqi deaf population.