Although many case-control studies have investigated the association between P2X7 gene polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility, the interpretation of these data has been difficult due to limited power. As a means of better understanding the link between P2X7 and tuberculosis, a systematic review of the literature was conducted using metaanalysis. This approach provided a quantitative summary estimate on the association between P2X7 and tuberculosis. We searched databases (MEDLINE, PUBMED, and OVID) between January 1998 and July 2010 using the search words 'gene' or 'P2X7' in combination with 'tuberculosis,' performed manual citation searches from relevant original studies and review articles and corresponded with researchers in the field of study. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for studies examining variations in the P2X7 gene 1513 C and -762 C loci were 1.44 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-1.68; P < 0.00001] and 1.01 (95% CI 0.70-1.44; P=0.97), respectively, compared with the 1513 A and -762 T alleles. Polymorphisms at the 1513 locus had a statistically significant association with P2X7 variants and tuberculosis susceptibility, while the -762 locus allele variants were not significantly associated with P2X7 variants and tuberculosis susceptibility.