title: Associations between Polymorphisms within Interferon Gamma and Tumor Necrosis Factor Genes and Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis in Ghanaian Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate associations between IFN-γ +874T/A and TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism with the development of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.
  
  
  METHODS
  By ARMS-PCR, a cross-sectional genetic study involving 30 patients with Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis and 87 controls was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IFN-γ +874: by comparing with the AA genotype, individuals with the TT genotype had a 3.4 odds ratio (OR); AT had a 1.6 OR; and the T allele had a higher OR (1.6), indicating a likely susceptibility of IFN-γ +874T to the infection, though the overall distribution was not significant (p = 0.259). For TNF-α-308G/A, individuals with both GA and AA genotypes had lower ORs when compared with the GG genotype, implying the A allele could confer protection against Toxoplasma ocular lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IFN-γ +874T allele may increase the risk of ocular lesions in Toxoplasma infection. The principle of natural selection seems to also play a role. The less common TNF-308A allelic form could be protective against the development of Toxoplasma ocular infection.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences , University of Cape Coast , Ghana.|b Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences , University of Cape Coast , Ghana.
authors.forename: Emmanuel Kwasi
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Abu
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences , University of Cape Coast , Ghana.
authors.forename: Johnson N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Boampong
authors.affiliation: a Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences , University of Cape Coast , Ghana.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kyei
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences , University of Cape Coast , Ghana.
authors.forename: Richmond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Afoakwah
authors.affiliation: c Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences , University of Ghana , Ghana.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ayi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Genes; Ghana; Toxoplasma; interferon gamma; retinochoroiditis; tumor necrosis factor