HLA typing in chronic type B, D and C hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to test the hypothesis that susceptibility to chronic HBV, HDV and HCV infections or their pathology is influenced by host genetic factors.


METHODS
The Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) (A, B, DR and DQ) were determined by microlymphocytotoxicity assay in patients with chronic C (n = 117), B (n = 97) or D (n = 27) hepatitis and their frequencies were compared with those of 489 healthy controls.


RESULTS
No statistically significant association was found between any HLA antigen and chronic B or D hepatitis. A significantly higher frequency of HLA-B14 was observed in patients with chronic persistent or active C hepatitis (16.7% of 90 versus 5.9% of 489, chi(2) = 10.9, pc < 0.05, Relative Risk = 3.17, Etiological Fraction = 0.11). The frequency of HLA-DR5 was lower in HCV positive patients (24.8%) than in controls (45%, chi(2) = 15.1, pc < 0.005, RR = 0.4, EF = -0.37).


CONCLUSIONS
No correlation could be observed between clearance of HBV or HDV and HLA phenotype. Immunogenetic factors may have a role in determining susceptibility to chronic HCV hepatitis, and in Italian patients HLA-DR5 is a protective factor.
Zavaglia
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Bortolon
C
C
Ferrioli
G
G
Rho
A
A
Mondazzi
L
L
Bottelli
R
R
Ghessi
A
A
Gelosa
F
F
Iamoni
G
G
Ideo
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007372:Interferons