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Original Article

 

Interferon Gamma Gene Polymorphism as a Biochemical Marker in Egyptian Atopic Patients

 

YM Hussein,1 AS Ahmad,2 MM Ibrahem,1 SA El Tarhouny,1 SM Shalaby,1 AS Elshal,1 M El Said1

1 Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
2 Chest Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2009; Vol. 19(4): 292-298

 

 Abstract


Objectives: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of interferon (IFN) γ in the diagnosis and follow-up of atopic patients. We genotyped the IFN-γ polymorphism at position +874 to examine the relationship between serum levels of IFN-γ and disease severity and the role of IFN-γ as a biochemical and immunologic marker.

Methods: The study population comprised 75 patients suffering from atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis (25 each), and 25 control participants. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E and serum IFN-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the IFN-γ polymorphism at position +874 was determined by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction, and eosinophil
counts were recorded.

Results: There was a signifi cant association between genotype and the frequency of the A allele of the +874T/A polymorphism in atopic patients when compared with controls (P<.001). In all 3 groups, there was a signifi cant increase in total IgE levels and eosinophil counts, and a decrease in serum IFN-γ levels towards the presence of homozygous AA compared with homozygous TT.

Conclusions: The IFN-γ gene polymorphism at position +874 contributes to susceptibility to atopic diseases by decreasing the amount of IFN-γ. Identification of variants of IFN-γ gene signalling and its role in the development of atopic diseases provides a focus for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these diseases.

Key words: Interferon γ. Polymorphism. Atopic patients.