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Microscopy-based Assays for High-throughput Screening of Host Factors Involved in Brucella Infection of Hela Cells
Published on: August 5, 2016
Th-1 cytokines gene polymorphism in human brucellosis
S Davoudi1, A A Amirzargar, M Hajiabdolbaghi
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
International Journal of Immunogenetics
|September 21, 2006
Summary
Genetic factors influence brucellosis susceptibility. This study found a strong association between Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene variants and increased risk for brucellosis, suggesting genetic predisposition.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease impacting cell-mediated immunity.
- The balance of T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines influences disease outcome.
- Genetic factors are known to affect cytokine production and disease susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Th1 cytokine gene polymorphisms and brucellosis.
- To determine if specific genotypes of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-2 are linked to brucellosis risk.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-2 was performed using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP).
- Genotype frequencies were compared between 47 brucellosis patients and 166 healthy controls.
- Allele frequencies were analyzed using the chi-squared test.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between the TNF-alpha genotype GG/GG and brucellosis (76.7% in patients vs. 21% in controls, P = 0.001).
- No significant difference in IFN-gamma genotype distribution was observed between groups.
- The IL-2 GG genotype at position -330 was more common in patients but not statistically significant (P = 0.09).
Conclusions:
- Individuals with genetic profiles associated with low TNF-alpha production may be more susceptible to brucellosis.
- The role of IFN-gamma gene polymorphism in brucellosis susceptibility is questioned.
- Brucellosis patients may not have an IL-2 production defect, with a trend towards higher production.
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