Relation of the bi-allelic NcoI restriction fragment length polymorphism within the tumour necrosis factor B gene to the development of mediastinitis.

During recent years the dual role of endogenous inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) has become evident. While TNF has been recognised to possess a great detrimental potential, for example in the case of sepsis, it is on the other hand an integral component of an adequate immune response to bacterial invasion. These different properties of TNF and others seem to be dependent mainly on the quantitative extent of their formation. Some recent findings indicate that this extent may in part be determined genetically. The classification of patients according to polymorphic cytokine genes might, therefore, predict some of their reactions to septic challenges.