TNF alpha and NRAMP1 polymorphisms in leprosy.

To determine the association of TNF alpha and NRAMP1 polymorphisms in leprosy. The polymorphisms of TNF alpha at -238, -308, and NRAMP1 at INT4, D543N, and3' UTR were examined in 37 patients with leprosy (24 multibacillary and 13 paucibacillary) and 140 healthy controls. PCR-SSP and PCR-SSO method were used to type TNF and NRAMP1 polymorphisms. The genotype frequency of TNF-308 G/A was significantly increased in all leprosy patients compared to the controls (p = 0.04, OR = 2.69). When leprosy types were divided, the allele frequency of TNF-308A was significantly increased in multibacillary leprosy compared to the normal controls (p = 0.04, OR = 2.93). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the genotypes and allele frequencies of TNF -238 and NRAMP1 polymorphisms between the patients and controls. TNF-308A was associated with susceptibility to multibacillary leprosy.