Relation of the bi-allelic NcoI restriction fragment length polymorphism within the tumour necrosis factor B gene to the development of mediastinitis

During recent years the dual role of endogenous inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) has become evident. While TNF has been rec ognised to possess a great detrimental potential, for example in the case o f sepsis, it is on the other hand an integral component of an adequate immu ne response to bacterial invasion. These different properties of TNF and ot hers seem to be dependent mainly on the quantitative extent of their format ion. Some recent findings indicate that this extent may in part be determin ed genetically. The classification of patients according to polymorphic cyt okine genes might, therefore, predict some of their reactions to septic cha llenges.