title: HLA-DRB alleles and systemic lupus erythematosus in Jamaicans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and manifestations of SLE in different ethnic groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A DNA-based HLA-typing method was used to determine alleles of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 in Jamaican patients. A total of 70 patients and 100 control subjects were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HLA-DRB3*01/03 was significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE, while DRB1*15/16 was associated with the presence of oral ulcers in patients with SLE. The haplotype DRB1*13/14.DRB3*01/03 was also more frequent in SLE patients. No other significant associations were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SLE HLA associations in Jamaicans differ from those in other black populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smikle
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DeCeulaer
authors.forename: Everard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roye-Green
authors.forename: Gwendoly
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dowe
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains; D059845:HLA-DRB4 Chains; D059847:HLA-DRB5 Chains; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains; D059845:HLA-DRB4 Chains; D059847:HLA-DRB5 Chains