Original Articles Open access

Assessing tumor necrosis factor-α (-238 G/A and -308 G/A) genetic polymorphisms in sepsis susceptibility among cystic fibrosis patients

Authors

Published
1 September 2025
Section
Original Articles
DOI
10.4081/itjm.2025.2021

Abstract

Patients with cystic fibrosis are prone to recurrent bacterial infections, which eventually can cause critical sepsis and septic shock. Polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, are implicated in its circulating levels and sepsis risk and development, particularly 308 G/A and -238 G/A. This investigation aims to assess the TNF-α (-238 G/A and -308 G/A) polymorphisms and sepsis risk in cystic fibrosis. A total of 120 cystic fibrosis patients were categorized into two groups: the septic and non-septic groups. Blood samples were harvested from participants, and DNA was extracted. The frequency of -238 G/A and -308 G/A TNF gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. This investigation reported that heterozygous (GA) genotypes in the -238 G/A were more common among septic patients, 23 (38.33%), than non-septic patients, 13 (21.66%), and the same results were observed in -308 G/A; septic patients were 30 (50%), compared to non-septic patients, 13 (21.66%). Moreover, at the allelic level, the altered allele (A allele) was more commonly found in sepsis cystic fibrosis patients than in non-sepsis patients, with significant differences in both -308 G/A and -238 G/A. Our study concludes that TNF-α-238 and -308 (GA) polymorphism, as well as mutant (AA) genotypes, may be linked with a higher likelihood of developing sepsis in cystic fibrosis patients relative to those with the GG (wild-type) genotype.

Keywords

References

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