IL-10 polymorphism is associated with increased incidence of severe sepsis

Objective To investigate whether three biallelic polymorphisms at positions -592, -819 and -1082 in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene are associated with increased incidence of severe sepsis. Methods The IL-10 -592, -819 and -1082 polymorphisms were typed using polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion with the restriction enzymes Rsa I, Mae III and MnI I, respectively. Results Patients with severe sepsis were more likely to have IL-10 -1082 allele 1, compared with controls (P < 0.05). Genotype distribution of the IL-10 -1082 polymorphism significantly differed between patients and controls (P < 0.05). However, the allele frequencies and genotype distribution of the IL-10 -1082 polymorphism did not differ between surviving and dead patients (P >0.05). No significant differences in the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the IL-10 -592 and IL-10 -819 polymorphisms were observed between patients with severe sepsis and heathy controls, nor between surviving and dead patients (P > 0.05). Conclusions The polymorphism at position -1082 in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene may be associated with susceptibility to severe sepsis. In constrast, the other two highly linked IL-10 polymorphisms are not associated with incidence or the outcome of severe sepsis.