IL-18 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between IL-18 polymorphisms and Tuberculosis(TB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase databases, and conducted a meta-analysis using 4 models. Data were extracted from the studies by two independent reviewers. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software. RESULTS: Five qualified studies with a total of 1293 TB patients and 1724 controls were included. There was no significant association between the IL-18 -607C>A polymorphism and TB risk in the total population(AA vs CC: OR=1.27,95% CI=0.82-1.96;-CA vs CC:OR=1.06,95% CI=0.89-1.26; Dominant model: OR =1.09, 95% CI =0.83-1.43; Recessive model:OR=1.23, 95% CI=0.92-1.65). For IL-18 -137G>C polymorphism, lack of an association was also found(GG vs CC: OR=1.42,95% CI=0.78-2.58;GC vs CC:OR=1.16,95% CI=0.62-2.16; Dominant model: OR =1.34,95% CI=0.74-2.43;Recessive model:OR=0.96,95%-CI=0.26-3.56). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis found no evidence for IL-18 -607C>A and -137G>C polymorphisms as risk factors for TB. Further large-scale and well-designed articles are still needed to validate this result.