The association between CD209 gene polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Three common polymorphisms in CD209 gene (-336A/G, -871A/G and -139G/A) have been reportedly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis risk. However, the findings from different studies were inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to determine the association between CD209 gene polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility.

The PubMed, SCI and Elsevier were searched up to April 18, 2015 for studies on the association of CD209 gene polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis. Pooled odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated in a fixed-effects or random-effects model.

Twelve case-control studies with 3114 cases and 3088 controls were included. For -871A/G mutation, significant decreased pulmonary tuberculosis risk was observed in allele model (G vs. A: P = 0.009; OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.54-0.92), heterozygous model (AG vs. AA: P = 0.009; OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.40 to 0.88) and dominant model (AG+GG vs. AA: p =0.01; OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42 to 0.89). For -336A/G polymorphism, no associations were found in all genetic models. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, statistical association was observed for Asians in GG vs. AA (P = 0.04; OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.05-5.09). No significant association was identified between -139G/A variation and pulmonary tuberculosis risk.

This meta-analysis provides evidences that CD209 gene -871A/G is associated with decreased susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in overall population; -336A/G polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility of pulmonary tuberculosis in Asians. However, the -139G/A polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis.