Tumor necrosis factor ?? gene polymorphisms associated with urinary tract infections after renal transplantation1

Abstract

Introduction. We investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) β_low or TNFβ_high alleles predicted susceptibility to infection or rejection after renal transplantation. Methods. TNFβ alleles were determined in 137 (ESRD) patients and correlated with urinary tract infections and rejection within 60 days among 75 consecutive renal transplant recipients. Results. TNFβ _low was more prevalent among African-Americans than caucasians (83 vs. 63%, P =0.02). After renal transplantation, patients with TNFβ _low experienced more urinary tract infections (50 vs. 10%, P =0.002). The incidence of TNFβ _low and urinary tract infections were equivalent in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil/cyclosporine (CsAA) (n=37) versus mycophenolate mofetil/tacrolimus (n=38). TNFβ _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). Conclusions. TNFβ _low was associated with urinary tract infections and TNFβ _high was associated with freedom from urinary tract infections. Neither gene correlated with rejection or l-year graft survival.