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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Zhang
Furen
F
Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatovenereology, Jinan, Shandong Province, PR China. zhangfuren@hotmail.com
Liu
Hong
H
Chen
Shumin
S
Wang
Changyuan
C
Zhu
Chuanfu
C
Zhang
Lin
L
Chu
Tongsheng
T
Liu
Dianchang
D
Yan
Xiaoxiao
X
Liu
Jianjun
J
D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D056006:Leprosy, Multibacillary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D056005:Leprosy, Paucibacillary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains