Matrix Science Medica (MSM)

Background: Asthma is a chronic disorder caused by complex interactions between genetic and environmental influences. Objective: Investigatethe possible correlation between interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene polymorphisms and development of specific Chlamydia pneumoniae immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 children, including 57 males and 30 females with asthma with ages between 1 and 16 years, attended the Respiratory Clinic at Karbala Pediatric Hospital, with a nonasthmatic children group which have the same age and gender. Restriction fragment length polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine IL‑4 C‑589T genetic polymorphisms. Total IgE level, C. pneumoniae IgG, and C. pneumoniae IgE antibodies were measured using the commercial quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: C. pneumoniae IgG and IgE antibodies were significantly increased in patients as compared with controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.024, respectively). The CT genotype of IL‑4 C‑589T polymorphism was associated with asthmatic children (P < 0.01). A high C. pneumoniae IgE levels were found to be associated with CC genotypes(P = 0.01). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in serum C. pneumoniae IgG levels depending on different IL‑4 C589T genotypes (P = 0.662). Conclusion: The development of C. pneumoniae IgE antibody in asthmatic children did not depend on IL-4 polymorphism.