Meta-analysis of effect of TNF-α promoter polymorphisms on the risk of HBV persistence.

*-308 A/A and -238 A/A were rare genotypes. Therefore, some studies had to be excluded because they contained no individuals carrying these genotypes. In the study on -308 AA vs. GA +GG, the report by Kummee et al[20] was excluded; in -238 GG vs. AA and -238 AA vs. GA +GG, Cheong et al[10] and Li et al[17] were excluded.

Abbreviations: CHB, chronic HBV infection; HC, HBV clearance; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.