Sex- and age-dependent association of <it>SLC11A1 </it>polymorphisms with tuberculosis in Chinese: a case control study

• Main Authors: Chow Eudora YD, Lai Wai, Chan Kam, Yiu Lap, Wong Wa, Yip Shea, Leung Kim, Lin Che, Yam Wing, Chan Kin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-03-01
• Series: BMC Infectious Diseases
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/7/19

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Host genetic factors are important determinants in tuberculosis (TB). The <it>SLC11A1 </it>(or <it>NRAMP1</it>) gene has been studied extensively for genetic association with TB, but with inconsistent findings. In addition, no study has yet looked into the effect of sex and age on the relationship between <it>SLC11A1 </it>polymorphisms and TB.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case-control study was conducted. In total, 278 pulmonary TB patients and 282 sex- and age-matched controls without TB were recruited. All subjects were ethnic Chinese. On the basis of linkage disequilibrium pattern, three genetic markers from <it>SLC11A1 </it>and one from the nearby <it>IL8RB </it>locus were selected and examined for association with TB susceptibility. These markers were genotyped using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis or fragment analysis of amplified products.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Statistically significant differences in allele (<it>P </it>= 0.0165, OR = 1.51) and genotype (<it>P </it>= 0.0163, OR = 1.59) frequencies of the linked markers SLC6a/b (classically called D543N and 3'UTR) of the <it>SLC11A1 </it>locus were found between patients and controls. With stratification by sex, positive associations were identified in the female group for both allele (<it>P </it>= 0.0049, OR = 2.54) and genotype (<it>P </it>= 0.0075, OR = 2.74) frequencies. With stratification by age, positive associations were demonstrated in the young age group (age ≤65 years) for both allele (<it>P </it>= 0.0047, OR = 2.52) and genotype (<it>P </it>= 0.0031, OR = 2.92) frequencies. All positive findings remained significant even after correction for multiple comparisons. No significant differences were noted in either the male group or the older age group. No significant differences were found for the other markers (one <it>SLC11A1 </it>marker and one <it>IL8RB </it>marker) either.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study confirmed the association between <it>SLC11A1 </it>and TB susceptibility and demonstrated for the first time that the association was restricted to females and the young age group.</p>