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The HLA-A, -B, and -DR phenotypes and tuberculosis.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|August 1, 1985
Summary
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antigen distributions differed significantly between healthy individuals and tuberculosis patients. Specific HLA-B5 and HLA-DR5 phenotypes increased in tuberculosis patients, while HLA-DR6y decreased.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Infectious Diseases
- Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health challenge.
- Host genetic factors, including Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antigens, may influence susceptibility and disease progression.
- Previous studies suggest associations between specific HLA alleles and infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of HLA-A, -B, and -DR antigen phenotypes in Black Americans.
- To compare HLA antigen frequencies between patients with active tuberculosis disease (ATS Class 3) and healthy individuals with a positive tuberculin reaction but no disease (ATS Class 2).
- To identify potential HLA associations with tuberculosis susceptibility or resistance.
Main Methods:
- Phenotyping of HLA-A, -B, and -DR antigens was performed on Black American individuals.
- Participants were categorized into ATS Class 3 (tuberculosis patients) and ATS Class 2 (healthy, tuberculin-positive) groups.
- Statistical analysis, including Fisher's exact test, was used to compare phenotype frequencies between the two groups.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in the frequency distribution of HLA-B5 (p = 0.046), HLA-DR5 (p = 0.0276), and HLA-DR6y (p = 0.0095) was observed between ATS Class 2 and ATS Class 3 patients.
- Specifically, ATS Class 3 patients showed a significant decrease in HLA-DR6y phenotypes (p = 0.01).
- Conversely, ATS Class 3 patients exhibited an increase in HLA-B5 and HLA-DR5 phenotypes compared to ATS Class 2 individuals.
Conclusions:
- The study identified significant deviations in HLA-B5, HLA-DR5, and HLA-DR6y phenotype distributions between tuberculosis patients and healthy tuberculin-positive individuals in Black Americans.
- These findings suggest a potential role for specific HLA alleles in modulating the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which these HLA antigens influence tuberculosis susceptibility and disease outcomes.