Lack of association between atopy and RsaI polymorphism within intron 2 ofthe Fc(epsilon)RI-beta gene in a Spanish population sample

Background The B genotype of RasI polymorphism located within intron 2 of t he Fc-IgE receptor I (Fc(epsilon)RI) gene was previously found to be increa sed in atopic patients from a Japanese population sample. Methods We studied these A/B genotypes in 70 Spanish atopic patients, and t he results were compared to those of 51 nonatopic controls. RasI polymorphi sms were studied by specific digestion of polymerase chain reaction fragmen ts followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results The polymorphism frequency (A/A: 25/70, A/B: 28/70, B/B: 17/70) fou nd in patients did not differ from the frequency in nonatopic control subje cts. Conclusions We did not find RasI polymorphisms associated with atopic disea se. The genetic findings in atopy and asthma may be very different accordin g to ethnic and local characteristics, and they must be carefully verified in different population samples.