HLA-DRB1 as a risk factor in children with autoimmune hepatitis and its relation to hepatitis A infection.
BACKGROUND
The human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are proteins found in the membranes of nearly all nucleated cells. People with certain HLA antigens are more likely to develop certain autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HLA-DRB1 in children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) as a risk factor for occurrence, its relation to preceding hepatitis A infection and treatment outcome.


METHODS
25 children with AIH were subjected to HLA-DRB 1 typing performed by sequence specific oligonucleotide probe technique and compared to HLA-DRB1 found in 548 normal populations.


RESULTS
The most frequent alleles found in our children with AIH were HLA-DRB1*13 (36%), HLA-DRB1*04 (18%) and HLA-DRB1*03 (14%). HLA-DRB1*13 was significantly more frequent in AIH patients compared to controls. In type I AIH patients HLA-DRB1*13 was the most frequent allele (32.4%), followed by HLA-DRB1*04 in (20.6%) and HLA-DRB1*03 in (14.7%), While in type II, the most frequent alleles were HLA-DRB1*13 in (40%), HLA-DRB1*07 (20%) and HLA-DRB1*15 in (20%). HLA-DRB1*12 was significantly more frequent in AIH patients with positive Hepatitis A IgM than in patients with negative hepatitis A IgM. No statistically significant difference between partial responders and complete responders to treatment as regards HLA-DRB1 subtypes.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded from the previous study that HLA-DRB1*13 may be a susceptibility allele for the occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis in our population. HLA-DRB1*07 and HLA-DRB1*15 may be susceptibility alleles for occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis type 2. HLA-DRB1*12 association with AIH in patients triggered by hepatitis A needs further studies.
The pediatrics department, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University Cairo, Egypt. amelhome4@gmail.com
Amel A M
AA
Elfaramawy
Reham M
RM
Elhossiny
Amal A
AA
Abbas
Heba M Abdel
HM
Aziz
D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000276:immunology*; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes