We have recently analyzed BAFF promoter -871, -2841 and -2701 mutations associated with elevated BLyS/BAFF plasma levels and susceptibility to auto-immune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and hepatitis C associated cryoglobulinemia [22–24] in our Benin cohort and found no association between BAFF promoter mutations and either blood and CVLs BLyS/BAFF levels nor HIV infection (S4 Fig). The gene discussed is TNFSF13B; the disease is cryoglobulinemia.