IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism and its relation to serum IL6 in Egyptian children with community-acquired pneumonia

- GG genotype of IL6-174 significantly assosciated with CAP.
- G allele of IL6-174 significantly assosciated with CAP.
- GG genotype and G allele were protective against severe sepsis.
- Serum IL6 levels were significantly increased in CAP.
- GG genotype was not related to serum IL6 in CAP patients.

Cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this study is to investigate the association of IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism with CAP in Egyptian children, to assess its effect on CAP outcome and to determine its effect on the serum IL6 levels in these children.IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism was genotyped in 210 Egyptian children (100 patients with CAP and 110 healthy controls) using PCR-RFLP, while the serum IL6 levels were measured by ELISA method.We found a significant association between the GG genotype, G allele of IL6-174 G/C SNP and susceptibility to CAP (P = 0.02, 0.01 respectively). However, GG genotype and G allele were protective against severe sepsis (p = 0.004), acute respiratory failure (p < 0.001) and hospital mortality (p < 0.001). Serum IL6 levels were significantly increased in these children while there was no relation between GG genotype and serum IL6.In conclusion, IL6-174 G/C gene polymorphism may contribute to susceptibility to CAP in Egyptian children.