The frequency distribution of vitamin D Receptor I gene polymorphism among Ugandan pulmonary TB patients.

(TB) is still a major problem globally and especially in Africa. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to TB in the past and studies have found vitamin D deficiency to be common among Ugandan TB patients. The functional activity of vitamin D is dependent on the genotype of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphic genes. Recent findings have indicated that VDR polymorphisms may cause increased resistance or susceptibility to TB. The vitamin D ligand and its receptor play a pivotal role in innate immunity by eliciting antimicrobial activity, which is important in prevention of TB. The vitamin D receptor gene has extensively been examined in TB patients but findings so far have been inconclusive. : This study sought to investigate the frequency distribution of the VDR gene polymorphisms in pulmonary TB patients and controls. : A pilot case control study of 41 newly diagnosed TB patients and 41 healthy workers was set up. Vitamin D receptor I gene was genotyped. The frequency distribution of genotype in Ugandan TB patients was 87.8% homozygous-dominant (FF), 7.3% (Ff) heterozygous and 4.8% (ff) homozygous recessive. For normal healthy subjects the frequencies were (FF) 92.6%, (Ff) 2.4% and (ff) 4.8%. No significant difference was observed in the FF and ff genotypes among TB patients and controls. The Ff heterozygous genotype distribution appeared more in TB patients than in controls. A significant difference was observed in the genotype among gender p value 0.02. No significant difference was observed in ethnicity, p value 0.30. The heterozygous Ff genotype may be associated with TB in the Ugandan population.