Assessing tumor necrosis factor-α (-238 G/A and -308 G/A) genetic polymorphisms in sepsis susceptibility among cystic fibrosis patients

Patients with cystic fibrosis are prone to recurrent bacterial infections, which eventually can cause critical sepsis and septic shock. Polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, are implicated in its circulating levels and sepsis risk and development, particularly 308 G/A and -238 G/A. This investigation aims to assess the TNF-α (-238 G/A and -308 G/A) polymorphisms and sepsis risk in cystic fibrosis. A total of 120 cystic fibrosis patients were categorized into two groups: the septic and non-septic groups. Blood samples were harvested from participants, and DNA was extracted. The frequency of -238 G/A and -308 G/A TNF gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. This investigation reported that heterozygous (GA) genotypes in the -238 G/A were more common among septic patients, 23 (38.33%), than non-septic patients, 13 (21.66%), and the same results were observed in -308 G/A; septic patients were 30 (50%), compared to non-septic patients, 13 (21.66%). Moreover, at the allelic level, the altered allele (A allele) was more commonly found in sepsis cystic fibrosis patients than in non-sepsis patients, with significant differences in both -308 G/A and -238 G/A. Our study concludes that TNF-α-238 and -308 (GA) polymorphism, as well as mutant (AA) genotypes, may be linked with a higher likelihood of developing sepsis in cystic fibrosis patients relative to those with the GG (wild-type) genotype.