Influence of Interleukin‐10 on<i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>Infection in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that genetic polymorphisms that affect the production of interleukin (IL)-10 may play a role in the response to pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF). The present study was designed to investigate a possible association between alleles carried at position -1082 in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene and clinical data on 378 patients with CF. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, a significant relationship was found between the -1082GG genotype and both colonization with Aspergillus fumigatus and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In addition, higher serum levels of IL-10 were observed in patients colonized with A. fumigatus. These results suggest that polymorphisms in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene may influence the host response to A. fumigatus in the context of CF.