Polymorphisms in IL12A and cockroach allergy in children with asthma
2008

IL12A Gene Variants and Cockroach Allergy in Children with Asthma

Sample size: 417 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Michael Pistiner, Gary M Hunninghake, Manuel E Soto-Quiros, Lydiana Avila, Amy Murphy, Jessica Lasky-Su, Brooke Schuemann, Barbara J Klanderman, Benjamin A Raby, Juan C Celedón

Primary Institution: Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

Hypothesis

Are polymorphisms in the IL12A gene associated with asthma and allergy-related phenotypes in children?

Conclusion

Variants in the IL12A gene influence cockroach allergy among children with asthma.

Supporting Evidence

  • Homozygosity for the minor allele of SNP rs2243123 was associated with increased risks of skin test reactivity to American cockroach.
  • Homozygosity for the minor allele of SNP rs2243151 was associated with increased risks of skin test reactivity to German cockroach.
  • No significant association was found between any SNP in IL12A and asthma or total IgE.

Takeaway

This study found that certain changes in a gene called IL12A can make kids with asthma more likely to be allergic to cockroaches.

Methodology

The study tested for associations between SNPs in IL12A and allergy-related phenotypes in two samples of children with asthma.

Potential Biases

Potential type I and type II errors due to multiple testing and differences in population characteristics.

Limitations

The study may have reduced power to detect associations in one of the populations due to differences in sensitization prevalence.

Participant Demographics

Costa Rican children with asthma and white children from the Childhood Asthma Management Program.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.03

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-7961-6-6

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