Genetic variations of toll-like receptors: Impact on susceptibility, severity and prognosis of bacterial meningitis

Infect Genet Evol. 2021 Sep:93:104984. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104984. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a serious infectious disease of the central nervous system，which is mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Group B Streptococcus and Listeria monocytogenes. Throughout the world, BM has become one of the most lethal diseases that commonly occurs in children. Toll like receptors (TLRs) are one of the most important immune defense lines in infectious diseases, and play an essential role in host defense. Accumulating evidence shows that genetic variations in TLRs are associated with host responses in BM. This review aims to summarize the role of different TLRs and their genetic variations in the susceptibility, severity and prognosis of BM and discuss the identified risk factors for better treatment and improvement of the course and outcome of BM.

Keywords: Bacterial meningitis; Children; Meningococcal meningitis; Pneumococcal meningitis; Single nucleotide polymorphisms; Toll like receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disease Susceptibility / microbiology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / genetics
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Toll-Like Receptors / genetics*
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism

Substances

  • Toll-Like Receptors