title: Analysis of HLA-DQB1*0602 in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Khuzestan Province, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating, autoimmune and also complex disease of the central nervous system the etiology of which is not completely defined; but both genetic and environmental factors are regarded as main factors in its susceptibility. HLA-DQB1*0602 is considered as one of the most important genetic factors in MS predisposition but contradictory results have been reported in different populations world-wide. Since there are no data with respect to the correlation of HLA-DQB1*0602 and multiple sclerosis in Khuzestan province, and because of ethnic diversity in Khuzestan province, the aim was to examine the association of this allele with multiple sclerosis in Khuzestan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case control study that evaluated 200 MS patients from Khuzestan and 200 healthy individuals from the same geographical region. DNA extraction was performed by salting out method; in addition, HLA typing was carried out by polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method. The present study also considered probable association among HLA-DQB1*0602 with sex, ethnicity, and type of disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed that distribution of mentioned allele was not statistically different among cases and controls (61.5% vs. 64%, P = 0.605); furthermore, no association was shown between this allele and gender, ethnicity or type of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the whole, our result is consistent with most of the other studies in Iran; but contrasts with most of the studies in European populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Rezvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zabihi
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Galehdari
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shafiee
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Reza
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kazeminejad
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Faculty of Computer and Mathematical sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alavi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen