Therefore, although the present study does not provide direct demonstration that the different IFNAR-1 mRNA levels translate into different expression of IFNAR at cell surface, it is tempting to speculate that this partial restoration may confer to CC carriers a response advantage to either endogenous or exogenous IFN-alpha, representing the biological basis for the observed association between CC genotype and favourable outcome of either natural infection (clearance vs chronicization) or IFN therapy. The gene discussed is IFNAR1; the disease is infection.