Abstract
Objective Toll-like receptors (TLR) are one of the key molecules that alert the immune system
to the presence of microbial infections. This study attempts to elucidate the role
of TLR2 and TLR4 polymorphisms in neonatal sepsis.
Methods A case–control study including 30 neonates with confirmed sepsis compared with 20
neonates in a control group. TLR2 and TLR24 gene polymorphisms were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.
Results The majority of infections were attributed to gram-negative organisms (72.5%) namely
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Results also revealed that incidence of TLR polymorphism was significantly different
between the sepsis and control groups (p = 0.016). The most common polymorphism was TLR2; Arg 753 Gln (16.7%). Presence of
TLR polymorphism was also associated with a longer duration of therapy (a median of
10 days for cases with positive polymorphism compared with 6.5 days for negative cases;
p = 0.001).
Conclusion This pilot study suggests that any polymorphisms in TLR2 and TLR4 might have a role
that interferes with the innate immune response of newborn.
Keywords
neonatal sepsis - polymorphism - toll-like receptors - TLR-2 and TLR-4
