title: Combining HLA-DRB1-DQB1 and Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratubercolosis (MAP) antibodies in Sardinian multiple sclerosis patients: associated or independent risk factors?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amongst Sardinians the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes *15:02-*06:01, *16:01-*05:02, *14:01-4-*05:03 are protective for multiple sclerosis (MS), while *13:03-*03:01, *04:05-*03:01, *03:01-*02:01, *15:01-*06:02 and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratubercolosis (MAP) are predisposing factors. We studied the correlation between MAP and HLA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred thirty-one patients were searched for anti-MAP2694 antibodies, DRB1-DQB1 genotyping was performed. The haplotypes were classified as predisposing, neutral or protective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti-MAP2694 were found in 23 % of subjects carrying one protective HLA versus 32 % without (p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed a lower frequency of Abs in patients with protective HLA. These haplotypes could have a protective role for both MS and MAP.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. jessicafrau@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frau
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sardu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mameli
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coghe
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lorefice
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fenu
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tranquilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sechi
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of medical sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marrosu
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cocco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains / Q000276:immunology*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains / Q000276:immunology*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains
keywords: HLA; Multiple sclerosis; Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis; Sardinia