[Immunogenetic blood markers as a risk factor of development of periodic disease in Armenian population]

To reveal characteristic associations between various markers of immunogenetic (HLA--A, B, C, DR), erythrocytic (ABO, Rh-Hr, MNSs, Pp, Kell-Chellano, Lewis), serum (Gm, Inv) systems and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in Armenian population.

From 41 to 125 patients (depending on systems studied) were examined. HLA-antigens of A-, B-, C-classes were detected by the microcytotoxic test in a total population of lymphocytes, HLA-DR antigens--by a prolonged test in B-lymphocytes, erythrocytic antigens--by hemagglutination technique and indirect Coombs' reaction, serum antigens--by the method of hemagglutination suppression.

Confidential positive associative relations between antigens HLA-A1 and A9 (RR = 2.2 and 2.4), HLA B5 and B35 (RR = 3.03 and 3.2), HLA-Cw4 (RR = 4.3), HLA-DR3 (RR = 2.6), phenotypes AB (RR = 2.86) and MN (RR = 2.2), serum antigen Gmx+ (RR = 2.87) were demonstrated. Simultaneous expression of phenotype MN and antigen Gmx+ is a marker of high predisposition to the disease (RR = 4.7). Negative associative relations were found between FMF and antigens HLA-B12 and B18 (RR = 0.6 and 0.1), HLA DR4 (RR = 0.1) and phenotype MM (RR = 0.37).

A simultaneous complex investigation of the markers of various immunogenetic systems allows detection of genetic markers of predisposition to FMF (HLA-B5, B35, Cw4, DR3, AB, Gmx+, MN) and the resistance to this disease (HLA-B12, B18, DR4) in a population of Armenians.