Polymorphic cytokine genotypes as markers of disease severity in adult periodontitis

The distributions of the bi-allelic interleukin-1 beta(+3953) and tumor nec rosis factor-alpha(-308) genotypes were determined in 20 patients with adva nced adult periodontitis, 20 patients with plaque associated gingivitis, an d 45 referent population subjects. A significant increase in IL-1 beta(+395 3) allele 2 frequency was found in patients with advanced periodontitis com pared to referent subjects (the Fisher exact test; p=0.013). Furthermore, t he frequency of TNF-alpha(-308) allele 1 was significantly greater in patie nts with advanced disease compared to those with plaque associated gingivit is (the Fisher exact test; p=0.014). No significant correlation was observe d between genotype and cytokine production in these patient populations.