Association between interleukin-27 polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis

Area of Science:

• Immunogenetics
• Tuberculosis Research
• Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

• Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains a significant global health challenge.
• Interleukin 27 (IL-27) is a cytokine involved in immune regulation and host defense.
• Genetic variations in IL-27 may influence susceptibility and disease progression in PTB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between IL-27 gene polymorphisms (-964A/G, 2095T/G, 4603G/A, 4730T/C) and PTB.
• To investigate the impact of these polymorphisms on radiographic characteristics and disease severity.
• To assess the relationship between IL-27 serum levels and PTB phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study comparing 224 PTB patients and 233 healthy controls.
• Analysis of allele and genotype frequencies for four IL-27 polymorphisms.
• Measurement of serum IL-27 concentrations using ELISA.
• Stratification of patients based on radiographic features (single- vs. multi-lobe involvement, cavitation).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in allele or genotype distributions between PTB patients and controls.
• The -964A/A genotype was more frequent in patients with single-lobe PTB compared to multi-lobe PTB (P=0.01).
• Higher serum IL-27 levels were found in patients with single-lobe involvement (P=0.03) and with the -964A/A genotype (P=0.02).

Conclusions:

• The IL-27 -964A/A genotype may play a protective role against the intrapulmonary spread of PTB.
• This genotype is associated with higher serum IL-27 levels and a less disseminated form of the disease.
• IL-27 gene polymorphisms might influence PTB radiographic characteristics and disease progression.