Genetic Polymorphisms of Toll-like Receptor 2 (rs7656411) among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Selected Healthcare Facilities in Abeokuta, Ogun State

Abstract

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a key pattern recognition receptor in the innate immune system that detects components of Mycobacterium species and initiates immune responses against infection. Dysfunction of TLR2 can impair this recognition, potentially increasing disease susceptibility. This study investigated whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLR2 gene, specifically rs7656411, are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB). The research used a case-control design conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. It included 83 patients diagnosed with pTB and 47 healthy controls. Diagnosis of pTB was confirmed using blood and sputum samples through microscopic examination and molecular testing with GeneXpert. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and the TLR2 rs7656411 SNP was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). The study population was predominantly male, making up 60% of participants, with females accounting for 40%. The largest age group was 31-40 years, representing 40% of the sample. Demographically, 68.5% identified as Christian, 60.8% were married, and 40% worked as traders. Educational attainment was relatively high, with 66.9% having a tertiary education. Ethnically, 71% were Yoruba. By comparing the distribution of TLR2 rs7656411 SNPs between pTB patients and healthy controls, the study aimed to determine if this genetic variation impairs TLR2 function and contributes to increased risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis. The findings clarify the role of host genetic factors in TB susceptibility and inform future research on targeted prevention or treatment strategies for high-risk individuals.