Frequency of HLA class 1 and 2 alleles in Brazilian patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class 1 (HLA-A and HLA-B) and HLA class 2 (HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) allele profiles in the susceptibility to cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) in patients with AIDS.


METHODS
Cytomegalovirus retinitis was clinically diagnosed by indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy. Human leucocyte antigens class 1 were typed using a complement-dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay, and HLA class 2 alleles were identified using amplified DNA hybridized to sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers.


RESULTS
The frequencies of HLA class 1 antigens and HLA class 2 alleles observed in patients and controls were similar; however, HLA-A31 antigen was over-represented in patients with AIDS, independent of the presence of CMV-R.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no association between HLA molecules/alleles and CMV-R in Brazilian patients with AIDS. However, the results support the role of the HLA system in the susceptibility to developing AIDS.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015234:HLA-A Antigens; C069527:HLA-A31 antigen; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II