Tumor necrosis factor beta gene polymorphisms associated with urinary tract infections after renal transplantation

• Published in: Transplantation Vol. 73; no. 7; p. 1110
• Main Authors: Kimball, Pam, Reid, Felecia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.04.2002
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Female; Graft Rejection - etiology; Graft Survival; Humans; Kidney Transplantation - adverse effects; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics; Urinary Tract Infections - etiology
• ISSN: 0041-1337
• DOI: 10.1097/00007890-200204150-00017

We investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta(low) or TNFbeta(high) alleles predicted susceptibility to infection or rejection after renal transplantation. TNFbeta alleles were determined in 137 (ESRD) patients and correlated with urinary tract infections and rejection within 60 days among 75 consecutive renal transplant recipients. TNFbeta low was more prevalent among African-Americans than caucasians (83 vs. 63%, P=0.02). After renal transplantation, patients with TNFbeta low experienced more urinary tract infections (50 vs. 10%, P=0.002). The incidence of TNFbeta low and urinary tract infections were equivalent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil/cyclosporine (CsAA) (n=37) versus mycophenolate mofetil/tacrolimus (n=38). TNFbeta low was not associated with the incidence of delayed graft function (5 vs. 2, P=NS), early rejection (21 vs. 18%, P=NS) or actuarial 1-year graft survival (96 vs. 90%, P=NS). TNFbeta low was associated with urinary tract infections and TNFbeta high was associated with freedom from urinary tract infections. Neither gene correlated with rejection or l-year graft survival.