Association between gene polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor and pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility: a meta-analysis

BackgroundThe vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is a primary candidate gene for tuberculosis susceptibility, but results of previous studies are somewhat contradictory and underpowered. Thus, it is essential to further explore the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis about the association between FokI, TaqI, ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms and PTB susceptibility was conducted. Statistical Package for Social Science (Version 13.0) and Review Manager (Version 4.2, The Cochrane Collaboration) were used to analyze the data reported in studies.ResultsA total of 13 studies with 2 262 cases and 2 833 controls were involved in the FokI polymorphism, and the results showed FokI polymorphism was associated with PTB susceptibility (allele f vs F: OR=1.12, 95% CI=[1.02, 1.23]; the additive effect model ff vs FF: OR=1.40, 95%CI=[1.10, 1.77]; the recessive genetic model ff vs Ff+FF: OR=1.39, 95%CI=[1.12, 1.71]). No significant associations were observed between TaqI (15 studies with 3 031 cases and 3 132 controls), ApaI (7 studies with 1 495 cases and 1 922 controls), BsmI (6 studies with 919 cases and 1 250 controls) variants and PTB susceptibility.ConclusionWe found variant FokI polymorphism of VDR gene may play a risky role in PTB development, and the genetic model was presumed to be recessive.