DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i06.078

Pages: 2248-2251

Understanding the genetic variation existing among individuals in relation to common diseases is necessary for classifying, comparing and managing them. In Nigeria, tuberculosis is common but we are not aware of any study on the association between phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste perception and tuberculosis. This present study was carried out to determine whether or not inability to taste PTC was associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 220 individuals comprising 113 tuberculosis patients (test group) and 107 apparently healthy subjects (control group) participated in this study. Tasters and non-tasters were determined among the participants using PTC taste strips. Of the 113 tuberculosis patients, 52 (46.0%) were tasters and 61 (54.0%) were non-tasters while 76 (71.0%) and 31 (29.0%) of the 107 control subjects were tasters and non-tasters respectively. Non-tasters of PTC were significantly more associated with tuberculosis patients than control subjects (χ2 = 14.13, df = 1, p < 0.001). This study shows that inability to taste PTC is significantly associated tuberculosis.