Polymorphisms of Immunity Genes and Susceptibility to Otitis Media in Children

Johanna Nokso-Koivisto,Reuben Matalon,Kristofer Jennings,Tasnee Chonmaitree,Janak A Patel,Stan Block,Yungling Leo Lee

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093930

Abstract

BackgroundAcute otitis media (OM) is a common disease which often develops through complex interactions between the host, the pathogen and environmental factors. We studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity, and other host and environmental factors for their role in OM.MethodsUsing Sequenom Massarray platform, 21 SNPs were studied in 653 children from prospective (n = 202) and retrospective (n = 451) cohorts. Data were analyzed for the relationship between SNPs and upper respiratory infection (URI) frequency, risk of acute OM during URI episodes, and proneness to recurrent OM.ResultsIncreased risk for OM proneness was associated with CX3CR1 (Thr280Met) SNP and with a jointly interactive group of IL-10 (−1082) SNP, IL-1β (−511) wild type genotype and white race. Family history of OM proneness independently increased the risk for frequent URIs, OM occurrence during URI, and OM proneness. Additionally, IL-1β (−31) SNP was associated with increased risk for frequent URIs, but IL-10 (−592), IL-1β (−511), IL-5 (−746) and IL-8 (−251) SNPs were associated with decreased risk of URI.ConclusionIL-1β (−31), CX3CR1 (Thr280Met), IL-10 (−1082) and IL-1β (−511) SNPs were associated with increased risk for frequent URIs or OM proneness.

Highlights

Viral upper respiratory infection (URI) is the commonest infectious disease worldwide
94 children were excluded from the analysis because of missing or inaccurate data related to otitis media (OM) proneness classification or environmental risk factors
We found that Interleukin 1b (IL-1b) (231) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was associated with increased risk for frequent URI

Summary

Introduction

Viral upper respiratory infection (URI) is the commonest infectious disease worldwide. Acute otitis media (OM) is a frequent complication of viral URI in children [1]. Cytokines participate in the innate and adaptive immunity against infectious diseases. Many cytokines are actively induced in nasal secretions of children during viral URI, suggesting that these cytokines participate in regulation of virus-induced inflammation and recovery from infection. High levels of certain cytokines in respiratory secretions have been associated with the severity of respiratory disease [5,6,7,8]. Acute otitis media (OM) is a common disease which often develops through complex interactions between the host, the pathogen and environmental factors. We studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity, and other host and environmental factors for their role in OM

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion