HLA-B locus in Caucasian patients with carbamazepine hypersensitivity
Ana Alfirevic1, Andrea L Jorgensen, Paula R Williamson
1Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, The University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK.
Background:
A strong pharmacogenetic association has been reported in Chinese patients between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*1502 and carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).
Methods:
We have genotyped the HLA-B alleles in 56 Caucasian patients with varying severities of CBZ hypersensitivity and 43 controls on CBZ without adverse effects.
Results:
None of our patients (including two with blistering skin rashes) were positive for the HLA-B*1502 allele. HLA-B*0702 allele may protect against severe CBZ hypersensitivity but warrants further study. Of secondary interest, the correlation between HLA-B*0801 and HLA-DR3, DQ2 and TNF -308 alleles (on the ancestral haplotype 8.1) is consistent with our previous findings.
Conclusion:
HLA-B*1502 does not seem to be a marker for all forms of CBZ-induced hypersensitivity in a Caucasian population.
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