HLA-DRB1/DQB1 susceptibility for autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II and III in south of Tunisia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate the association of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles with autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) type II and III in a southern Tunisian population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two unrelated patients with APSII (n=20) and APSIII (n=42) and 146 healthy controls were genotyped for HLA class II alleles (DRB1*, DQB1*) by PCR-SSP technique.

RESULTS: An increased frequencies of HLA-DQB1*03:02 (P=0,02; OR=2.98) in APSII patients, HLA-DRB1*03 (P=310(-6); OR=4.28) and HLA-DQB1*02:01 (P=0.04; OR=1.95) in APSIII patients were found compared to healthy controls. Study of the HLA-DRB1*;DQB1* haplotype frequencies showed a higher occurrence of DRB1*04;DQB1*03:02 and DRB1*03;DQB1*02:01 in APSII patients (P=410(-3); OR=3.31 and P=0.03; OR=2.74 respectively) whereas APSIII was only associated with DRB1*03;DQB1*02:01 (P=7.210(-8), OR=4.71).

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the variation in class II HLA alleles and haplotypes could be a genetic factor involved in the susceptibility of APS syndrome.