Association between a single nucleotide polymorphism of the IL23R gene and tuberculosis in a Chinese Han population: a case‒control study

BACKGROUND: Severe tuberculosis constitutes a significant menace to human safety and well-being, with a considerable mortality rate. The severity of tuberculosis can be impacted by genetic variations in host genes, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). METHODS: A case‒control study was undertaken, encompassing a cohort of 1137 tuberculosis patients (558 with severe tuberculosis and 579 with mild tuberculosis), alongside 581 healthy controls within the age range of fifteen to forty-five years. Whole blood DNA was extracted from all participants, and three tag polymorphisms (rs1884444, rs7518660, rs7539625) of the IL23R gene were selectively identified and genotyped. RESULTS: No significant correlation was observed between the IL23R gene polymorphisms (rs1884444, rs7518660, and rs7539625) and tuberculosis. Upon comparing the tuberculosis group with the healthy control group, the mild tuberculosis group with the healthy control group, and the severe tuberculosis group with the healthy control group, the obtained P-values were> 0.05. However, in the comparison between severe tuberculosis and mild tuberculosis, the presence of rs1884444 G alleles exhibited a significantly increased risk of severe tuberculosis after adjusting for age and sex (OR(a): 1.199, 95% CI: 1.009–1.424; P(a)=0.039, respectively). In subgroup analysis, after accounting for confounding factors, including age and sex, rs1884444 G alleles continued to demonstrate a significantly heightened risk of severe tuberculosis. Nonetheless, the comparison between the multisystemic tuberculosis group and the mild tuberculosis group was no significant difference. Notably, rs1884444 of the IL23R gene exhibited a noteworthy association with the risk of severe tuberculosis in the comparison between severe tuberculosis and mild tuberculosis before and after adjusting for age and sex (OR(a): 1.301, 95% CI: 1.030–1.643; P(a)=0.027, respectively). Furthermore, the presence of the rs1884444 G allele exhibited a significantly increased risk of severe tuberculosis after adjusting for age and sex in the comparison between tuberculous meningitis and mild tuberculosis (OR(a): 1.646, 95% CI: 1.100-2.461; P(a)=0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that there is no significant association between IL23R gene polymorphism and tuberculosis susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. However, it does indicate a potential link between IL23R polymorphism and an increased risk of developing severe tuberculosis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-023-02546-w.