TLR4 polymorphism in Iranian patients with brucellosis.
OBJECTIVE
Brucellosis is a zoonosis of both public health and economic significance in most developing countries. Polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) have been reported to be associated with a blunted immune response to microbial pathogens. Information regarding any association between genetic variation of TLR4 and susceptibility to brucellosis is not available in the literatures. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate the role of polymorphic alleles of TLR4 gene in susceptibility to brucellosis.


METHODS
In this case-control study, 198 patients with brucellosis and 111 healthy volunteers matched for sex, age and geographic area were evaluated by genotyping for polymorphism in TLR4 gene (Asp299Gly) using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR method.


RESULTS
Allele 896G was more prevalent in patients with brucellosis compared to healthy controls (33.6% vs. 20.7%, P=0.000003). Also the frequency of G allele of TLR4 gene was significantly higher in male patients with brucellosis compared to the same sex in control group (36% vs. 21.7%, P=0.00005). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that male patients heterozygous at allele G gene had a significantly higher risk for brucellosis with an odds ratio of OR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.79-4.69, P<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to show an association between genetic polymorphism in TLR4 gene and susceptibility to brucellosis.
Rezazadeh
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Sina Hospital, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
Hajilooi
M
M
Rafiei
A
A
Haidari
M
M
Nikoopour
E
E
Kerammat
F
F
Mamani
M
M
Ranjbar
M
M
Hashemi
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics*
C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4