STUDY LEPTIN AND TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS GENE POLYMORPHISMS ROLE IN SUSCEPTIBILITY TO AMEBIASIS

Abstract

Background: Amebiasis, is prevalent worldwide caused by Enatmoeba histolytica, Demographic risk factors for this disease are well-illustrated; however, genetic predisposing factors are poorly defined.
Aims: it aims to assess the role of Gln223Arg variants in leptin receptor (LPTR) gene and Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile variants in toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) gene in the susceptibility to amebiasis in Iraqi patients.
Subjects and Methods: a case/control study, included 150 patients with diarrhea were investigated by direct wet mount stained with Lugol’s iodine solution for E. histolytica. Forty-eight of those gave a positive- results and represented the cases. Other 50, family unrelated, sex-, age-, and geographical residence-matched apparently healthy individuals were chosen to represent the control group. DNA was extracted form blood samples from each participant. LEPR and TLR-4 gene fragments corresponding the three variants were amplified with specific sets of primers. The amplified genes were subjected to direct sequencing.
Results: The variant Gln223Arg was found to be significantly associated with the susceptibility to amebiasis. Both AG and GG genotypes were more frequents in cases than controls with significant differences. This association was further confirmed in genetic model and allele analysis. In recessive model, the prevalence of AG+GG genotypes were significantly higher in cases than controls. Similarly, the minor allele (allele G) was more frequents among cases than controls with significant difference.
Conclusion: These results suggest the role of Gln223Arg variant in LEPR gene in the susceptibility to infection with E. histolytica.