title: Association between lymphotoxin-α intron +252 polymorphism and sepsis: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the association of lymphotoxin-α (LTA, also known as tumour necrosis factor-β) promoter +252 A/G polymorphism with sepsis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science (for the period January 1966 to June 2010). Two reviewers independently selected studies on the genetic association of LTA +252 A/G polymorphism with sepsis and independently extracted data onto standardized forms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven studies with 4399 septic patients were included based on predefined inclusion criteria. As compared to AG + GG, the LTA AA genotype was significantly associated with an increased development of sepsis in the overall population (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.62; p = 0.006). An association between mortality from sepsis and AA genotype was also found in the overall population (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.27-2.80; p = 0.002). Stratification by ethnicity indicated that the contribution to both sepsis susceptibility and mortality may be stronger in Caucasians (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08-1.91 and OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.52-4.00, respectively) than in other ethnicities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LTA +252 A/G polymorphism is associated with both susceptibility to and mortality from sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiancha
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huiqin
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiyong
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jingfen
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007438:Introns; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018805:Sepsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha