Background and Aims: Several studies have shown that host genetic factors can be associated with the risk of developing Helicobacter pylori infections. Therefore, we evaluated the most prevalent toll-like receptors (TLRs) polymorphisms in Helicobacter pylori positive subjects and their possible role in susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infections.
Materials and Methods: Using related keywords, an independent search in the electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and ISI web of knowledge was performed to collect studies evaluating, until January 15, 2019, polymorphisms in the TLR 1 to 13 genes and their association with susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infection. A total of 18 articles met our inclusion criteria and thus were included in the meta-analysis.
Results: In this meta-analysis, a significantly increased risk of Helicobacter pylori infection was observed in subjects carrying TLR2 rs3804099 (TT vs. CC: odds ratio = 2.209, 95% CI: 1.283-3.804), TLR4 rs4986790 (A allele vs. G allele: odds ratio = 2.987, 95% CI: 1.899-4.697), TLR4 rs4986791 (C allele vs. T allele: odds ratio = 5.469, 95% CI: 13.432-8.713), TLR4 rs4986791 (CC vs. TT: odds ratio = 7.974, 95% CI: 2.682-23.706), TLR4 rs10759932 (TT vs. CC: odds ratio = 3.180, 95% CI: 1.022-9.890), TLR4 rs1927914 (C allele vs. T allele: odds ratio = 8.831, 95% CI: 4.222-18.470), and TLR9 rs352140 (CC vs. CT: odds ratio = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.071-3.290) polymorphisms.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that TLR2 rs3804099, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR4 rs4986791, TLR4 rs10759932, TLR4 rs1927914 and TLR9 rs352140 polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infections.