INT4-NRAMP1 polymorphism may have a role in the development of culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis after an initial M. tuberculosis latent infection.
Although environmental factors play an important role in tuberculosis infection, genetic factors such as NRAMP 1 polymorphism may also contribute to the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Taiwanese aboriginals.
The findings of the present study support the hypothesis that genetic variants of NRAMP1 may have an effect on bacilli growth and on outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis, but not on susceptibility to M. tuberculosis infection.