Abstract
Objective The vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms and the risk of various infections
have been studied. An association with brucellosis and vitamin D levels has been investigated
but not yet with VDR gene polymorphisms. We aimed to examine the association between
VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to childhood brucellosis.
Methods This case–control study included patients with brucellosis and healthy controls.
After extracting genomic DNA using a Qiagen blood DNA isolation kit, five VDR single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including Cdx-2, FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI gene, were amplified. Genetic distribution of these SNPs of VDR gene in patient and
control groups were compared.
Results A total of 38 patients with brucellosis and 89 healthy controls were evaluated. The
genotype distribution of Cdx2, FokI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms were similar between patients and healthy controls. However, the CC
homozygous genotype for VDR gene TaqI was significantly overexpressed in patients compared with controls (23.7 vs. 7.9%;
p = 0.042). The frequency of the C allele of the TaqI genotype was significantly different between patients and controls (p = 0.018). On the other hand, presence of the A allele in the BsmI was associated considerably with an increased risk of brucellosis (p = 0.037). VDR polymorphism distribution was similar according to age, presence of
complicated disease, and presence of bacteremia. The heterozygote TaqI polymorphism was more common in patients presented as subacute and chronic symptoms
(p = 0.036).
Conclusion Our results indicated the possible role in TaqI polymorphism of the VDR gene for the risk of brucellosis at the time of exposure
to infection.
Keywords
brucellosis - children - vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism
