The HLA antigen distribution in the Gipsy population in Hungary

A group of Gipsies living in two distinct geographic areas in Hungary was determined for HLA-A,B,C,DR antigens during the 8th Histocompatibility Workshop. A quite strange distribution of HLA antigens was found after comparing the data to those of Hungarian population. HLA-A1, Bw52, Bw22, B40, Cw1, DR2 and DRw8 are significantly increased in Gipsies, while A3, B7, B12, Cw3, DRw6 and DR7 are decreased. The strongest gametic associations were determined between the allele pairs A1/Bw61, A2/Bw52, Bw22/Cw1, DR2/Bw52 and DRw8/B40. Some deviations from the Hungarian controls were detected in the distribution of the blood groups too. Specifically, the incidence of Rh/D negativity and Gm/2/ factor positivity is much lower and the incidence of Gm/1/ factor positivity is much higher than in the control Hungarian population. These differences between Gipsy and Hungarian populations indicate their different ethnic origin, and suggest the Middle-Eastern roots of the Gipsy population.