On the relative risk concept and TB morbidity in Russia: linking population genetics and epidemiological studies

A scheme relating Population genetics and TB epidemiology data in Russia is proposed. For this, a genetic susceptibility index is suggested based on relative risk estimates and published data on genetic polymorphisms of various ethnic groups. The index correlates well (r = 0.746,p < 0.05) with TB morbidity in genetically and geographically distant populations clearly indicating an important role of the genetic component in determining TB epidemiology in Russia.