Association of the Tumor Necrosis Factor α- 308G/A Polymorphism with Malaria and Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Nigerian Pregnant Women Akeem Abiodun Akindele1, Ebunoluwa Adediran1, Olusola Ojurongbe1* 1Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Background: Malaria and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) could be detrimental to pregnant women and their fetus. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) is believed to be a critical factor in susceptibility and progression of infectious diseases. This study investigated the contribution of TNF-308G/A genetic polymorphism to Malaria and HBV infections in pregnant women.
Methods: A total of 225 Nigerian pregnant women were enrolled into the study after obtaining a signed informed consent. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smears, while HBV was diagnosed by using HBV serological markers test kit. ARMS-PCR was used for TNF-α genotyping.
Results: Out of the 225 pregnant women screened, 57(25.3%) and 44(20%) were positive for P. falciparum parasitaemia and HBsAg respectively. The prevalence of P. falciparum parasitaemia and HBsAg co-infection was 11(4.5%). The frequency of TNF-α 308 GG genotype (54.40%) was higher compared to GA (38.60%) and AA (7.02%) in the study population. No significant difference was observed when the genotype GG of healthy control was compared with Malaria, HBV and Malaria-HBV co-infection. None of the other two genotypes (GA and AA) showed any significant difference between cases and healthy control. Both G and A alleles did not show any significant difference between cases and healthy control.
Conclusion: High prevalence of malaria and HBV among pregnant women was observed in the study area. Genotypes and alleles of TNF-α 308 G/A do not play significant role in malaria and HBV infections among the study population.
Keywords: Tumor necrosis factor, Malaria, Hepatitis B Virus, pregnant women
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