Association between interleukin-8 −251A/T polymorphism and the risk of tuberculosis: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between interleukin-8 (IL8) −251A/T polymorphism and tuberculosis (TB) risk remains controversial. Therefore, the present meta-analysis was performed by retrieving relevant studies from the available literature. METHODS: We comprehensively searched three databases to identify eligible literature on the relationship of IL8 −251A/T polymorphism with TB risk, calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and subsequent evaluated the heterogeneity and publication bias. RESULTS: We found that IL8 −251A/T polymorphism increased TB risk (AA vs. TT: OR = 2.86, 95%CI: 1.46–5.60; AT vs. TT: OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.15–2.34; dominant model: OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.24–2.86; recessive model: OR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.17–2.69). Subgroup analyses based on race revealed that the IL8 −251A/T polymorphism might be associated with the risk of TB in African but not Asian individuals. CONCLUSION: The IL8 −251A/T polymorphism might be related to the risk of TB. Nevertheless, large-scale studies should be performed to confirm the role of IL8 −251A/T polymorphism on TB risk.