HLA-B*27 subtypes and its clinical implications characterization by studying sequence-specific alleles

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of spondylitis in which spine is affected primarily along with otherjoints. The vertebrae fuse together and form a rigid structure. Individuals with AS are also positive for humanleukocyte antigen (HLA) B-27. One hundred and eighty-three symptomatic patients of AS were used in thestudy. Sequence-specific priming (SSP) PCR technique was used to detect the HLA B-27 specific allele. Thisstudy showed (out of 183 suspected cases, 45 cases were detected positive with HLA B-27 allele, while theremaining 138 were negative) that the positivity rate for AS with HLA B-27 allele is less. In 183 cases, 63were females, whereas 7 cases were positive and 56 negative, whereas 38 cases were positive for male and 82cases were negative. When sample was analyzed in term of age groups, it was found that out of 45 positivesamples, the positivity rate was maximum, i.e., 57.14% in the patient above 37 years of age. Furthermore, itwas observed that the males above 30 years are more prone to develop AS with HLA B27 specific allele. Forthe diagnosis of AS, conventional PCR technology is a promising diagnostic method and can be considered asan important tool along with other diagnostics parameters.

Assessment of pubertal development in Iranian girls

We estimated pubertal development of 7,493 normal Iranian girls aged 6 to 20 years in a cross-sectional study. Pubertal stages were assessed according to Tanner. The mean ages to achieve secondary sexual characteristics as well as the mean age at menarche were estimated. Weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Reference curves for different breast stages and menarche were constructed. The percentiles for attaining each stage were compared to data proposed by Tanner. The mean age at breast bud stage [B2] was 10.10, pubic hair stage [P2] was 9.83, and menarche age was 12.55 years. The anthropometric variables were interpreted in different maturity stages. The mean age at attainment of puberty was compared with those of other populations. Not only the onset of puberty in Iranian girls but also the duration of puberty is similar to data from most other countries. A lower age limit for the definition of precocious puberty than the traditional 8 years is documented for Iranian girls. However, it should be noted that considering the rate of evolution of pubertal findings is more important than the age of their appearance