Association of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of C-Reactive Protein Gene with Susceptibility to Infantile Sepsis in Southern China

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important biomarker of sepsis. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene can determine plasma CRP levels and are risk factors in many diseases, such as cancer, arteritis, and diabetes. However, it is unknown whether polymorphisms in CRP are associated with susceptibility to and outcome of infantile sepsis. We explored the effect of these SNPs on CRP response in infantile sepsis, and compared genetic data on patients with sepsis. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 49 infants with sepsis and 20 healthy infants were enrolled during hospitalization, and 3 SNPs in the CRP gene region (rs1205, rs2808530, and rs3091244) were genotyped and then analyzed for associations with CRP levels and sepsis. RESULTS: The CRP means concentration results showed that mean CRP concentration was different in the 4 groups (healthy, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock) and was positively correlated with the severity of infantile sepsis. There was also a difference in CRP SNP rs1205 between infants with septic shock and healthy infants, and between infants with septic shock and infants with sepsis. No differences were observed in SNP rs2808630 and SNP rs3091244. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that rs1205 genetic variability in the CRP gene determines the CRP levels in sepsis of different severities, while SNP rs3091244 and SNP rs2808630 are not associated with sepsis. However, the results of the present study on SNP rs1205, rs3091244, and rs2808630 in the CRP gene should be interpreted with caution due to limited sample size and sample heterogeneity. Large-scale, well-designed studies are needed to validate our findings.