Transforming growth factor- beta 1 polymorphisms in patients with brucellosis: an association between codon 10 and 25 polymorphisms and brucellosis

This study examined the association between transforming growth factor (TGF)- beta 1 polymorphisms and brucellosis. The TGF- beta 1 genotypes at codons 10 and 25 were determined by an amplification refractory mutation system-PCR among 425 brucellosis patients and 213 healthy volunteers. The frequencies of TGF- beta 1 codons 10 C and 25 G were significantly higher among patients than among controls, as was that of TGF- beta 1 codon 10 C-C. The high-producer haplotype (CG-TG) was more frequent among patients than among controls. The findings suggest that genetic polymorphism in codons 10 and 25 of the TGF- beta 1 gene might contribute to the development of brucellosis.