Tumor Necrosis Factor-β Nco1 Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Sepsis following Major Elective Surgery

Abstract Background: Post-operative sepsis remains a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. In injured patients, that a polymorphism of the gene for tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) has been related to the development of sepsis. Genetic factors may also have a role in etio-pathogenesis of sepsis following surgery. We investigated the relationship of the polymorphism of the gene for TNF-β and the serum concentration of TNF-α to the development of sepsis after elective major surgery. Methods: The study population consisted of 211 patients undergoing major elective surgery. The NcoI polymorphism of TNF-β was studied in genomic DNA through the analysis of restriction fragments of Nco1-digested DNA with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients were followed for 1 mo after surgery for any evidence of sepsis. Serum concentrations of TNF-α were measured pre- and post-operatively by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Genotypes of TNF-β and the production of TNF-α were related to the occurren...