ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the genotype frequencies of HLA class- II DRB1 alleles in Giardia (G.) lamblia-infected children. Methods: A total of 490 Egyptian children aged 2-16 years were subjected to microscopic stool examination to detect G. lamblia infection, and to exclude other intestinal pathogens. On the basis of their microscopic findings, a group of 80 children were chosen as giardiasis cases, another 80 children were confirmed as Giardia free control group by immunochromatographic test, and the remaining children were excluded. Both giardiasis and control groups were then subjected to blood examination to identify their genetic type of HLA-DRB1 alleles. Results: HLA class-II DRB1∗03:01 and DRB1∗13:01 alleles were significantly associated with G. lamblia infection (P<0.001 for each variable). On the other hand, HLA class-II DRB1∗04:02, DRB1∗10:01, DRB1∗14:01 and DRB1∗15:01 alleles were significantly demonstrated in Giardia free children. However, other HLA-DRB1 alleles did not show any significant association with giardiasis. Conclusions: HLA class-II DRB1∗03, DRB1∗13, DRB1∗04, DRB1∗10, DRB1∗14 and DRB1∗15 alleles may be involved in the establishment of host immune response to G. lamblia infection.
ABSTRACT
HCC accounts for up to 85% of primary liver cancer. The tumor is linked to environmental, dietary, and life style factors, so that its incidence and distribution vary widely among ethnic groups, sex, and geo-graphic regions. Variability in outcome following exposure, and the clustering of HCC within families, raise the possibility that genetic factors are also involved in susceptibility to HCC. Major histocompatibility complex [MHC] plays a key role in anti-virus and tumor defense. HLA polymorphism is implicated in conferring genetic susceptibility to a large number of immune-mediated diseases, including some cancers. The aim of this study was to type HLA DRB1 and DQB1 alleles in patients with HCC by molecular biology technique [SSP-PCR] to investigate their role as risk factors for the development of HCC. This study comprised 100 subjects; fifty patients suffering from HCC [45 males and5 females] with age range 40 - 64 years [mean+/- SD = 51.16 y +/-6.16], 92%of these patients were HCV seropositive and 8% were HCV seronegative. Fifty normal healthy subjects were selected to serve as control group. The results showed; a highly significant increased frequency of DRB1-04 andDRB1-07 alleles in HCC patients versus control group [odds ratio 2.579and 3.619, P=0.001 and 0.007, respectively]; and a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of DRB1-15 allele was found in HCC patients versus control group [odds ratio 0.240, P=0.016]. A statistically highly significant increased frequency of DQB1-02 allele versus controls [odds ratio 3.688, P=0.001] and highly significant decreased frequency of DQB1-06 allele in HCC patients versus control group [odds ratio 0.73 ,P=0.001 ]. Other HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles showed statistically non-significant difference in patients versus controls. HLA-Class IIDRB1-04, DRB1-07,and DQB1-02 alleles showed statistically significant high frequency in HCC patients with HCV seropositivity compared to patient with HCV seronegativity , P=0.001, each. It could be concluded that; while some DRB1- and DQB1- alleles are risk factors for occurrence of HCC [ DRB1-04 , DRB1-07 alleles andDQB1-02 allele], other alleles are protective ones /{DRB1-15 allele andDQB1-06 allele/}.The association between these risky alleles and HCV seropositivity may be an additional risk factor for the development of HCC