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We analysed frequencies of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the interferon-g (IFN-g) receptor-1 (IFNGR1) gene promoter (G-611A, T-56C) in tuberculosis patients (n ¼ 244) and compared them with controls (n ¼ 521). These frequencies were not significantly different, whether analysed independently or as haplotypes. Because these SNP affect transcription, the results suggest that the expression of the IFNGR1 gene does not confer susceptibility to disease in patients from Croatia. Further analysis revealed a significant association between the protective (CA) n polymorphism (22 repeats, 192 FA 1 ), located in the fifth intron of the IFNGR1 gene (þ16682), and GT promoter haplotype (À611; À56) that showed the strongest expression capacity. In addition to this cis relationship, the (CA) 22 allele was correlated in trans with an IFN-g SNP (IFNG G þ 2109A), which might affect the transcription of the IFNG gene. These results suggest that a particular combination of IFNG and IFNGR1 SNP might offer a better protection against tuberculosis in this population.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Recently, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as a new risk factor for adverse CVD events in the general population. Our aim was to analyze the incidence of NAFLD in HD patients by using transient elastography and to analyze whether the presence of NAFLD is associated with a higher CVD risk in HD patients. Methods: The subjects were 72 HD patients and 50 sex- and age-matched controls. Results: NAFLD was found in 52.8% of HD patients. HD patients with NAFLD showed more carotid atherosclerosis and more adverse CVD events than HD patients without NAFLD and control subjects. Conclusion: We showed for the first time that HD patients have a high prevalence of NAFLD. HD patients with NAFLD show an advanced carotid atherosclerosis. Detection of NAFLD by transient elastography should alert to the existence of an increased cardiovascular risk in HD patients.

Serum concentration of CRP above 6.2 mg/L is a strong predictor of overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with ESRD.

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