Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms in children with sepsis and septic shock.
BACKGROUND
Sepsis is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response. Its development and outcome are associated with host defense, pathogenicity of the microorganism and genetic polymorphisms. Genetic polymorphisms of the immune system genes have been shown to have a close relationship with the clinical outcomes of sepsis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a major role in the host defense against invading pathogens. It is therefore likely that polymorphisms in the ACE gene may have an important effect on determining the development and the outcome of sepsis.


METHODS
Ninety-eight children diagnosed as having sepsis and 287 healthy children were included in the study. Insertion/deletion polymorphisms were analyzed using reverse-hybridization assay.


RESULTS
The carriers of I allele (D/I genotype and I/I genotype) were found to have an increased risk of developing sepsis compared to the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
DD genotype may play a positive role against the development of sepsis in healthy children.
Cogulu
Ozgur
O
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. ozgur.cogulu@ege.edu.tr
Onay
Huseyin
H
Uzunkaya
Demet
D
Gunduz
Cumhur
C
Pehlivan
Sacide
S
Vardar
Fadil
F
Atlihan
Fusun
F
Ozkinay
Cihangir
C
Ozkinay
Ferda
F
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018805:Sepsis / Q000235:genetics*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000235:genetics*
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A