The Journal of infectious diseases
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Polymorphisms in the gene that encodes the vitamin D receptor (VDR) may influence the host response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. ⋯ VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with the time to sputum culture and auramine stain conversion during TB treatment. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of a specific host gene influence on the outcome of TB treatment. These findings demonstrate the potential clinical relevance of immunomodulatory functions of vitamin D metabolites acting via the VDR in the host response against pulmonary TB.