Genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis associated with cathepsin Z haplotype in a Ugandan household contact study

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), causes 9 million new cases worldwide and 2 million deaths annually. Genetic linkage and association analyses have suggested several chromosomal regions and candidate genes involved in TB susceptibility. This study examines the association of TB disease susceptibility with a selection of biologically relevant genes on regions on chromosomes 7 (IL6 and CARD11) and 20 (CTSZ and MC3R) and fine mapping of the chromosome 7p22-p21 region identified through our genome scan. We analyzed 565 individuals from Kampala, Uganda, who were previously included in our genome-wide linkage scan. Association analyses were conducted for 1,417 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that passed quality control. None of the candidate gene or fine mapping SNPs was significantly associated with TB susceptibility (p > 0.10). When we restricted the analysis to HIV-negative individuals, 2 SNPs on chromosome 7 were significantly associated with TB susceptibility (p < 0.05). Haplotype analyses identified a significant risk haplotype in cathepsin X (CTSZ; p = 0.0281, odds ratio = 1.5493, 95% confidence interval [1.039, 2.320]).     

Interleukin-10 but not interleukin-18 may be associated with the immune response against well-differentiated thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the interleukin-18 +105A/C and interleukin-10 -1082A/G germline polymorphisms in the development and outcome of differentiated thyroid carcinoma associated or not with concurrent thyroiditis.

METHODS:

We studied 346 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinomas, comprising 292 papillary carcinomas and 54 follicular carcinomas, who were followed up for 12-298 months (mean 76.10±68.23 months) according to a standard protocol. We genotyped 200 patients and 144 control individuals for the interleukin-18 +105A/C polymorphism, and we genotyped 183 patients and 137 controls for the interleukin-10 -1082A/G polymorphism.

RESULTS:

Interleukin-18 polymorphisms were not associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or any clinical or pathological feature of tumor aggressiveness. However, there was an association between the presence of interleukin-10 variants and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was present in 21.74% of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients, most frequently affecting women previously diagnosed with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis who had received a lower ¹³¹I cumulative dose and did not present lymph node metastases.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that the inheritance of a G allele at the interleukin-10 -1082A/G polymorphism may favor a concurrent thyroid autoimmunity in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients, and this autoimmunity may favor a better prognosis for these patients.     

Virtual crossmatch for deceased donor kidney transplantation in the United States: A survey of histocompatibility lab directors and transplant surgeons

Virtual crossmatch (VXM) is used as an alternative to or in conjunction with a cell-based physical crossmatch (PXM) for assessing HLA (human leukocyte antigen) compatibility prior to deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). Data on practice patterns and perceptions regarding VXM use in the US are limited. We performed a survey of US HLA directors and transplant surgeons regarding HLA testing and crossmatch strategies. 53 (56 %) HLA directors and 68 surgeons (representing ～ 23 % of US transplant centers) completed the survey. Both groups agreed that VXM could reduce cold ischemia time (CIT), costs and improve allocation efficiency. VXM use increased following the 2021 kidney allocation change. Reducing CIT was the primary reason for favoring VXM over PXM. Preference for VXM reduced as candidates’ panel reactive antibodies increased. Regulations, program policies and limitations of HLA technology were cited as important reasons for preferring PXM over VXM. Surgeons reported similar perceptions, but findings are limited by the low response rate. Finally, half the labs reported lacking specific protocols for VXM use. In conclusion, improved HLA technology and protocols along with changes to institutional procedures and policy regulations are needed for safer expansion of VXM in DDKT.