The relation between protein Z polymorphism and the risk of thrombosis in Egyptian patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The genetic background plays an important role in thrombosis and pregnancy morbidities. Low levels of protein Z is associated with increased risk of thrombosis. The G79A polymorphism in the protein Z gene may be a genetic risk factor for thrombosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of the protein Z-79 G/A gene polymorphism in Egyptian patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

METHODS: We genotyped 60 APS patients and 41 controls, for protein Z-79 G/A gene polymorphism using the PCR-restriction fragment length. The polymorphism was then analyzed in relation to thrombosis and pregnancy morbidities in APS patients.

RESULTS: We observed a higher prevalence of the A allele in the controls when compared to the APS patients (P Value = <0.001). In our studied sample, the G79A polymorphism, as well as its minor A allele, were not associated with an increased risk of thrombosis or pregnancy morbidities in APS.

CONCLUSION: Protein Z-79 G/A gene polymorphism may be of a protective value against thrombosis in APS. The G79A polymorphism of protein Z was not found to be an independent risk factor of thrombosis in APS.