CTLA-4 Gene Polymorphism Linked to Pulmonary Tuberculosis Susceptibility in Thai Population

Strategic Insights -

Research has shed new light on the genetic factors contributing to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility in the Thai population, revealing a significant association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms, particularly CTLA4+6230A/G, and the risk of PTB. The study, conducted by researchers from Srinakharinwirot University, used polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to investigate the allele frequency of CTLA-4+49A and CTLA-4+6230A in PTB patients and healthy controls. The findings suggest that the CTLA-4+6230A allele is significantly associated with PTB, and the CTLA-4+6230AG genotype is associated with both PTB and PTBWO. This study is the first to investigate CTLA-4+49A/G and +6230A/G polymorphisms in PTB patients in Thailand, providing valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying TB susceptibility.

Key Takeaways:

  • CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms, specifically CTLA4+6230A/G, are associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility in the Thai population.
  • The CTLA-4+6230A allele is significantly more frequent in PTB patients than in healthy controls.
  • The CTLA-4+6230AG genotype is associated with both PTB and PTBWO in the Thai population.
  • The combination of CTLA-4+49A/G+6230A/G genotypes, particularly +49AA+6230AA and +49AG+6230AG, is more frequent in PTB and PTBWO groups.
  • This study is the first to investigate CTLA-4+49A/G and +6230A/G polymorphisms in PTB patients in Thailand, providing valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying TB susceptibility.
  • The research team, led by V. Buapipatvong, investigated the association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and PTB susceptibility using PCR-RFLP.

Statistics:

  • The CTLA-4+6230A allele frequency was 0.432 in PTB patients, compared to 0.245 in healthy controls (P=0.007, OR 2.111, 95%CI(1.220-3.652)).
  • The CTLA-4+6230AG genotype frequency was 0.322 in PTB patients, compared to 0.185 in healthy controls (P=0.0432, OR 2.259, 95%CI(1.018-5.014)).
  • The combination of CTLA-4+49A/G+6230A/G genotypes, particularly +49AA+6230AA and +49AG+6230AG, was more frequent in PTB and PTBWO groups (P=0.0439, OR 2.5, 95%CI(1.004-6.227)).

Sources:

  • Tropical Biomedicine, 2025;42(3):337-343.
  • NewsRx. Findings from Srinakharinwirot University Provide New Insights into Pulmonary Tuberculosis [Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphism is associated with pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility in a Thai population]. TB & Outbreaks Week. November 4, 2025; p 1309.