BMC Medical Genetics (Dec 2009)

Evidence for an association of <it>HLA-DRB1*15 </it>and <it>DRB1*09 </it>with leprosy and the impact of <it>DRB1*09 </it>on disease onset in a Chinese Han population

  • Chu Tongsheng,
  • Zhang Lin,
  • Zhu Chuanfu,
  • Wang Changyuan,
  • Chen Shumin,
  • Liu Hong,
  • Zhang Furen,
  • Liu Dianchang,
  • Yan Xiaoxiao,
  • Liu Jianjun

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2350-10-133
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
p. 133

Abstract

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Abstract Background Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) have been proposed to modulate the immune response to Mycobacterium leprae. The association of HLA-DRB1 with leprosy has been reported in several populations, but not in a Chinese population. Methods The polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe with Luminex100 (PCR-SSOP-Luminex) method was used to genotype HLA-DRB1 alleles in 305 leprosy patients and 527 healthy control individuals. Results The HLA-DRB1*15 allele was significantly more prevalent among leprosy patients than healthy controls, whereas the frequency of the HLA-DRB1*09 allele was lower among leprosy patients, especially those with early-onset disease. Conclusion HLA-DRB1 alleles are associated with leprosy susceptibility in a Chinese population. The HLA-DRB1*09 allele was found to be protective exclusively in a subset of early-onset leprosy patients.