HLA-DR antigens in HBsAg-positive chronic active liver disease with and without associated delta infection.
The A, B, C and DR locus specificities of the human leukocyte antigens system (HLA) were determined in 45 delta-positive and 44 delta-negative Italian patients, all with HBsAg-positive chronic active liver disease; controls were 526 healthy Italian blood donors matched for age, sex and geographical origin. HLA-A, B, C gene frequencies were not significantly changed. In delta-positive patients, the frequencies of the DR locus specificities were: DR2, 37.8%; DR3, 20%; DR4, 11.1%. In the delta-negative patients, the frequencies were: DR2, 13.6%; DR3, 36.4%; DR4, 0%. Control frequencies were: DR2, 19.4%; DR3, 17.1%; DR4, 18.5%. The corrected p values of the differences between controls and delta-positive patients were: DR2, pc = 0.046; DR3, pc = NS (not significant); DR4, pc = NS. The corrected p values of the differences between controls and delta-negative patients were: DR2, pc = NS; DR3, pc = 0.03; DR4, pc = 0.002. These findings show that: (a) DR3, a genetic marker of autoimmunity, might assist the establishment of chronic HBsAg liver disease in the absence of delta superinfection; (b) DR2 is linked with failure to clear the delta agent, and (c) DR4 may protect from virus B persistence. Identification of adventitious factors such as delta may help uncover a subgroup of HBsAg carriers who are genetically predisposed to develop chronic liver disease.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003673:Defective Viruses; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000235:genetics; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000235:genetics*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II