Genetic association study of P2x7 A1513C (rs 3751143) polymorphism and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis: A meta-analysis based on the findings of 11 case–control studies

Objective To summarize the precise association between pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and P2x7 A1513C gene polymorphism. Methods PubMed and Google Scholar web-databases were searched for the studies reporting the association of P2x7 A1513C polymorphism and PTB risk. A meta-analysis was performed for the selected case–control studies and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for all the genetic models. Results Eleven studies comprising 2 678 controls and 2 113 PTB cases were included in this meta-analysis. We observed overall no significant risk in all the five genetic models. When stratified population by the ethnicity, Caucasian population failed to show any risk of PTB in all the genetics models. In Asian ethnicity, variant allele (C vs. A: P = 0.001; OR = 1.375, 95% CI = 1.159–1.632) and heterozygous genotype (AC vs. AA: P = 0.001; OR = 1.570, 95% CI = 1.269–1.944) demonstrated significant increased risk of PTB. Likewise, recessive genetic model (CC + AC vs. AA: P = 0.001; OR = 1.540, 95% CI = 1.255–1.890) also demonstrated increased risk of PTB in Asians. Conclusions Our meta-analysis did not suggest the association of P2x7 A1513C polymorphism with PTB risk in overall or separately in Caucasian population. However, it plays a significant risk factor for predisposing PTB in Asians. Future larger sample and expression studies are needed to validate this association.

Genetic association study of P2x7 A1513C (rs 3751143) polymorphism and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis: A meta-analysis based on the findings of 11 case-control studies

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize the precise association between pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and P2x7 A1513C gene polymorphism.@*METHODS@#PubMed and Google Scholar web-databases were searched for the studies reporting the association of P2x7 A1513C polymorphism and PTB risk. A meta-analysis was performed for the selected case-control studies and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for all the genetic models.@*RESULTS@#Eleven studies comprising 2678 controls and 2113 PTB cases were included in this meta-analysis. We observed overall no significant risk in all the five genetic models. When stratified population by the ethnicity, Caucasian population failed to show any risk of PTB in all the genetics models. In Asian ethnicity, variant allele (C vs. A: P = 0.001; OR = 1.375, 95% CI = 1.159-1.632) and heterozygous genotype (AC vs. AA: P = 0.001; OR = 1.570, 95% CI = 1.269-1.944) demonstrated significant increased risk of PTB. Likewise, recessive genetic model (CC + AC vs. AA: P = 0.001; OR = 1.540, 95% CI = 1.255-1.890) also demonstrated increased risk of PTB in Asians.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our meta-analysis did not suggest the association of P2x7 A1513C polymorphism with PTB risk in overall or separately in Caucasian population. However, it plays a significant risk factor for predisposing PTB in Asians. Future larger sample and expression studies are needed to validate this association.

Characterization of rotavirus strains detected among children and adults with acute gastroenteritis in Gizan, Saudi Arabia

To assess the circulating rotavirus strains among hospitalized children and adults in Gizan City.This cross-sectional study was based in 5 hospitals in the Gizan area. Stool samples were collected between November 2004 and March 2005, from sequential patients with acute, dehydrating diarrhea. Rotavirus antigen was detected in stool by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The diversity of rotavirus strains was investigated using electropherotying and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification of the VP7 and VP4 genes [G and P genotyping]. Rotavirus was detected in 54 of 454 [12%] subjects. The ages of those infected with rotavirus ranged from 15 days to 20 years, with a median age of 36 months. The highest rotavirus detection rate [24%] occurred in children aged 48-59 months. Overall, 50 [93%] of strains could be assigned both a G- and P-type; G1P[8] was the most frequently detected strain type [n=48, 89%] with one rotavirus each of G2P[4] and G9P[8]. Rotavirus strains circulating in Gizan would be well covered by current rotavirus vaccines. Rotavirus serotype G9 has been detected in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Continued surveillance of rotavirus strains is required

Cryptosporidiosis in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries

Cryptosporidium is a coccidian protozoan parasite of the intestinal tract that causes severe and sometimes fatal watery diarrhea in immunocompromised patients, and self-limiting but prolonged diarrheal disease in immunocompetent individuals. It exists naturally in animals and can be zoonotic. Although cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of diarrheal diseases in both developing and developed countries, it is more prevalent in developing countries and in tropical environments. We examined the epidemiology and disease burden of Cryptosporidium in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries by reviewing 23 published studies of Cryptosporidium and the etiology of diarrhea between 1986 and 2006. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in humans ranged from 1% to 37% with a median of 4%, while in animals it was different for different species of animals and geographic locations of the studies. Most cases of cryptosporidiosis occurred among children less than 7 years of age, and particularly in the first two years of life. The seasonality of Cryptosporidium varied depending on the geographic locations of the studies, but it was generally most prevalent in the rainy season. The most commonly identified species was Cryptosporidium parvum while C. hominis was detected in only one study from Kuwait. The cumulative experience from Saudi Arabia and four neighboring countries [Kuwait, Oman, Jordan and Iraq] suggest that Cryptosporidium is an important cause of diarrhea in humans and cattle. However, the findings of this review also demonstrate the limitations of the available data regarding Cryptosporidium species and strains in circulation in these countries