Influence of a TNF-α Polymorphism on the Severity of Schistosomiasis Periportal Fibrosis in the Northeast of Brazil.

Aims: The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an essential component in the host immune response to infection, and it has been reported to be an important mediator in severe periportal fibrosis (PPF). We hypothesized that the (-G308A) polymorphism of the TNF-α gene is associated with the severity of PPF and that these polymorphisms influence TNF-α expression.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we genotyped these polymorphisms within the TNF-α gene in 256 Brazilian subjects infected with Schistosoma mansoni, with different patterns of PPF.