The polymorphism at position -308 of the TNF-alpha gene promoter was analyzed in three ethnic groups and in patients with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis from Bashkortostan. No interethnic difference in allele or genotype frequency distribution was observed. The frequency of allele TNF2 in tuberculosis patients was significantly higher than in controls (chi 2 = 11.69, p = 0.001), suggesting an association of this allele with higher risk of pulmonary tuberculosis or a disturbed immune response.