CD8A and viral infectious disease: While the authors of this report hypothesized that increased T-cell activation and IFN-mediated thymic dysfunction among those with the rs368234815 [TT/TT] genotype, known to be associated with higher interferon-stimulated gene expression (ISG) [20], may contribute to CD4+ T-cell decline and a loss of host immune control of HIV-1 infection, it is also possible that these observations relate to better CD8+ mediated T-cell control of viral infection in those with ΔG/ΔG who express IFNL4, a view that would be supported by our study results.