Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence the maternal innate immune response are associated with puerperal group A streptococcal sepsis.
Study design: Subjects with confirmed puerperal group A streptococal infection were prospectively identified in 2 tertiary care hospitals over 18 years. Controls were racially matched subjects with term, uncomplicated deliveries. Thirty-eight polymorphisms associated with the innate immune response to bacterial infection were analyzed. Allele and genotype frequencies for subjects and controls were compared.
Results: Forty-eight women with puerperal group A streptococcal infection were identified. DNA was obtained for 28 subjects and 54 controls. Allele frequencies were significantly different between subjects and controls for polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9-1486 (P = .03) and heat shock protein (HSP) 70-2 1267 (P = .003). Genotype frequencies were significantly different between subjects and controls for TLR9-1486 (P = .025), HSP70-2 1267 (P = .02), and interleukin (IL)-1beta-511 (P = .016).
Conclusion: Puerperal group A streptococcal sepsis may be associated with innate immune response gene polymorphisms in TLR9, HSP70-2, and IL1beta.
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