Can Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Be Used to Predict Post-Transplant Infection after Kidney Transplant? A Systematic Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Post-transplant infections are a major cause of morbidity and graft dysfunction in kidney recipients. Genetic polymorphisms involved in immune responses may influence susceptibility to these infections.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and the risk of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections after kidney transplantation.

Methods: The databases PubMed (Medline), ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from 1990 to 2022 for English studies examining associations between SNPs and post-transplant infections in kidney recipients. Studies with genotype frequencies for infected and non-infected groups were included. Data were extracted on study characteristics, SNPs investigated, infection types, and associations between SNPs and infection risk

Results: In total, 3,189 studies were identified during the primary search, and 3,172 studies were excluded by duplicate, title/abstract, and screening. Finally, 17 articles were included in the systematic review. Among 17 eligible studies, 31 genes and 55 SNPs were extracted. Of these 55 SNPs, only 6 SNPs included rs1878672 (IL-10), rs1800896 (IL-10), rs16944 (IL-1β), rs2430561I (IFN-γ), rs733618 (CTLA4), and rs1800629 (TNF-α) were evaluated in more than one study, and the rest of the SNPs were assessed only in one study. Of these 6 SNPs, rs16944 (IL-1β), rs2430561 (IFN-γ), and rs1800471 (TGF-β) had significant association with post-renal transplant infection. However, the results were contradictory across studies.

Conclusions: Current evidence suggests certain SNPs may influence susceptibility to post-transplant infections, but findings are inconsistent. Larger, well-designed studies investigating the relationships between genetic factors and specific infection types are needed to understand the role of SNPs better and to guide personalized management strategies for transplant recipients.

KEYWORDS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms; Kidney, Renal function; Transplantation; Infection