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Published on: January 27, 2019

TNF gene polymorphisms are associated with reduced survival in severe Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy patients

Sandra A Drigo1, Edecio Cunha-Neto, Bárbara Ianni

  • 1Heart Institute (InCor), School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 44, bloco 2, 9 andar, CEP: 05403-001 São Paulo, Brazil.

Microbes and Infection
|January 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Genetic factors influence survival in Chronic Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy (CCC). Specific tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene variations are linked to significantly reduced survival in severe CCC patients, impacting mortality predictions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a severe complication of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, leading to heart failure and reduced survival.
  • Genetic factors may explain differential survival rates among severe CCC patients.
  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is implicated in heart failure progression and is elevated in CCC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphisms as predictors of mortality in severe Chronic Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy (CCC).

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of the TNFa microsatellite and the -308 TNF promoter polymorphism in 42 severe CCC patients.
  • Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazards model to assess the impact of TNF genotypes on mortality.

Main Results:

  • The TNF genotype, specifically the TNF2 promoter allele or TNFa2 microsatellite allele, was identified as an independent predictor of mortality in severe CCC.
  • Patients with TNF2 or TNFa2 alleles had significantly shorter median survival times (2.9 and 8 months, respectively) compared to other alleles (HR(adj)=2.28, p=0.020).

Conclusions:

  • This study identifies a genetic factor (TNF genotype) associated with reduced survival in severe Chronic Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy.
  • The findings suggest that TNF genotype should be considered in therapeutic planning for severe CCC patients to predict mortality risk.

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