title: The frequency distribution of vitamin D ReceptorfokI gene polymorphism among Ugandan pulmonary TB patients.
abstract: Background:Mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB) is still a major problem globally and especially in Africa. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to TB in the past and studies have found vitamin D deficiency to be common among Ugandan TB patients. The functional activity of vitamin D is dependent on the genotype of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphic genes. Recent findings have indicated that VDR polymorphisms may cause increased resistance or susceptibility to TB. The vitamin D ligand and its receptor play a pivotal role in innate immunity by eliciting antimicrobial activity, which is important in prevention of TB. Thefok Ivitamin D receptor gene has extensively been examined in TB patients but findings so far have been inconclusive.Objectives: This study sought to investigate the frequency distribution of the VDRfok Igene polymorphisms in pulmonary TB patients and controls.Methods: A pilot case control study of 41 newly diagnosed TB patients and 41 healthy workers was set up. Vitamin D receptorfokI gene was genotyped.Results:The frequency distribution offok Igenotype in Ugandan TB patients was 87.8% homozygous-dominant (FF), 7.3% (Ff) heterozygous and 4.8% (ff) homozygous recessive. For normal healthy subjects the frequencies were (FF) 92.6%, (Ff) 2.4% and (ff) 4.8%. No significant difference was observed in the FF and ff genotypes among TB patients and controls. The Ff heterozygous genotype distribution appeared more in TB patients than in controls. A significant difference was observed in thefok Igenotype among gender p value 0.02. No significant difference was observed in ethnicity, p value 0.30.Conclusions:The heterozygous Fffok Igenotype may be associated with TB in the Ugandan population.
authors: Department of Physiology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, P.O. Box 7072, Uganda.
authors: Ester L
authors: EL
authors: Acen
authors: Pulmonary Unit, Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital, Kampala, P.O.Box 7051, Uganda; Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, P.O. Box 7072, Uganda.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Worodria
authors: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Kampala, P.O. Box 7062, Uganda.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Mulamba
authors: Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala, P.O Box 22418, Uganda.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Kambugu
authors: Animal Resources and Bio-Security, Department of Bimolecular Resources and Biolab Sciences, Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Kampala, P.O Box 7062, Uganda.
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Erume
keywords: Fok I genotypes; Polymorphism; Tuberculosis; Uganda Introduction; Vitamin D Receptor