Association of various genetic markers with tuberculosis and other lung diseases in Tuvinian children

Abstract Setting: Heredity factors influence susceptibility to tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Recent immunogenetic studies have confirmed the genetic predisposition to lung diseases in different populations. Precise knowledge of genetic aspects of disease susceptibility is important for improvement of public health. Objective: The aim of our research was to study the distribution of certain genetic markers in Tuvinian children suffering from tuberculosis and other lung diseases and to compare it with that in ethnically- and age-matched healthy donors. HLA-A, -B, -C and -DR antigens have been defined serologically by lymphocytotoxic assay, and variants of polymorphic protein loci Hp, Tf, Gc, ESD, ACP, PGM1, ADA, PGD have been defined by electrophoresis. Results: It was demonstrated that in Tuvinian children with tuberculosis the frequencies of HLA-DR2 and HLA-DRw53 antigens are increased in comparison with healthy donors. In children with non-tuberculous chronic lung diseases with allergic components the frequency of HLA-Al, -B5 and -B8 antigens and of genetic variants Hp2-2 and ESD1-1 was elevated. Conclusion: HLA complex genetic factors influence susceptibility to tuberculosis and other lung diseases in Tuvinian children.