TNF ααααα and NRAMP1 Polymorphisms in Leprosy
Sasijit Vejbaesya MD*, Punkae Mahaisavariya MD**, Panpimon Luangtrakool MSc*, Chutima Sermduangprateep BSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University ** Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : To determine the association of TNF α and NRAMP1 polymorphisms in leprosy.
Materials and Methods : The polymorphisms of TNF α at -238, -308, and NRAMP1 at INT4, D543N, and 3′ UTR
were examined in 37 patients with leprosy (24 multibacillary and 13 paucibacillary) and 140 healthy con-
trols. PCR-SSP and PCR-SSO method were used to type TNF and NRAMP1 polymorphisms.
Results : The genotype frequency of TNF-308 G/A was significantly increased in all leprosy patients compared
to the controls (p = 0.04, OR = 2.69). When leprosy types were divided, the allele frequency of TNF-308A was
significantly increased in multibacillary leprosy compared to the normal controls (p = 0.04, OR = 2.93).
There was no significant difference in the distribution of the genotypes and allele frequencies of TNF -238 and
NRAMP1 polymorphisms between the patients and controls.
Conclusion : TNF-308A was associated with susceptibility to multibacillary leprosy.
Keywords : TNF, NRAMP1, Leprosy
