Association between lymphotoxin-α intron +252 polymorphism and sepsis: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the association of lymphotoxin-α (LTA, also known as tumour necrosis factor-β) promoter +252 A/G polymorphism with sepsis. Methods: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science (for the period January 1966 to June 2010). Two reviewers independently selected studies on the genetic association of LTA +252 A/G polymorphism with sepsis and independently extracted data onto standardized forms. Results: Twenty-seven studies with 4399 septic patients were included based on predefined inclusion criteria. As compared to AG + GG, the LTA AA genotype was significantly associated with an increased development of sepsis in the overall population (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.62; p = 0.006). An association between mortality from sepsis and AA genotype was also found in the overall population (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.27–2.80; p = 0.002). Stratification by ethnicity indicated that the contribution to both sepsis susceptibility and mortality may be stronger in Caucasians (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08–1.91 and OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.52–4.00, respectively) than in other ethnicities. Conclusions: The LTA +252 A/G polymorphism is associated with both susceptibility to and mortality from sepsis.

Keywords::

• Lymphotoxin-α
• polymorphism
• sepsis
• meta-analysis

Declaration of interest: None of the authors have commercial relationships or other associations that might pose a conflict of interest. This study was partially supported by the Health Bureau of Zhejiang Province (grant number 2009B079) and the Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department (grant number Y2010 17545).