Polymorphisms in the gene that encodes the iron transport protein ferroportin 1 influence susceptibility to tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND We studied the association between iron intake and polymorphisms in the iron transporter gene SLC40A1 and the risk of tuberculosis. METHODS We compared iron intake, the frequency of SLC40A1 mutations, and interactions among these variables among 98 tuberculosis patients and 125 controls in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. RESULTS Four SLC40A1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis and 1 SNP with reduced risk. We also found a gene-environment interaction for 4 nonexonic SNPs and iron intake. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study demonstrated an association between polymorphisms in SLC40A1 and tuberculosis and provided evidence of an interaction between dietary iron and SLC40A1.