Tumor necrosis factor beta gene polymorphisms associated with urinary tract infections after renal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
We investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta(low) or TNFbeta(high) alleles predicted susceptibility to infection or rejection after renal transplantation.


METHODS
TNFbeta alleles were determined in 137 (ESRD) patients and correlated with urinary tract infections and rejection within 60 days among 75 consecutive renal transplant recipients.


RESULTS
TNFbeta low was more prevalent among African-Americans than caucasians (83 vs. 63%, P=0.02). After renal transplantation, patients with TNFbeta low experienced more urinary tract infections (50 vs. 10%, P=0.002). The incidence of TNFbeta low and urinary tract infections were equivalent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil/cyclosporine (CsAA) (n=37) versus mycophenolate mofetil/tacrolimus (n=38). TNFbeta low was not associated with the incidence of delayed graft function (5 vs. 2, P=NS), early rejection (21 vs. 18%, P=NS) or actuarial 1-year graft survival (96 vs. 90%, P=NS).


CONCLUSIONS
TNFbeta low was associated with urinary tract infections and TNFbeta high was associated with freedom from urinary tract infections. Neither gene correlated with rejection or l-year graft survival.
Kimball
Pam
P
Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Richmond, VA 23298-0005, USA.
Reid
Felecia
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha