BMC Infectious Diseases (May 2006)

The interferon gamma gene polymorphism +874 A/T is associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome

  • Chan Eric YT,
  • Au KL,
  • Chow Eudora Y,
  • Yung Raymond WH,
  • Law Helen,
  • Wong Wilfred,
  • Ng Man,
  • Tso Gloria,
  • Ip WK Eddie,
  • Chong Wai Po,
  • Lim Wilina,
  • Peiris JS Malik,
  • Lau Yu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-6-82
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
p. 82

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Cytokines play important roles in antiviral action. We examined whether polymorphisms of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 affect the susceptibility to and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Methods A case-control study was carried out in 476 Chinese SARS patients and 449 healthy controls. We tested the polymorphisms of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-10 for their associations with SARS. Results IFN-γ +874A allele was associated with susceptibility to SARS in a dose-dependent manner (P IFN-γ +874 AA and AT genotype had a 5.19-fold (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.78-9.68) and 2.57-fold (95% CI, 1.35-4.88) increased risk of developing SARS respectively. The polymorphisms of IL-10 and TNF-α were not associated with SARS susceptibility. Conclusion IFN-γ +874A allele was shown to be a risk factor in SARS susceptibility.