Human leucocyte antigen profile in patients with aids and cytomegalovirus retinitis with and without macular involvement

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus retinitis is one of the ocular manifestations of AIDS. The objective of the present study was to determine possible associations of class I and II HLA antigens and alleles in patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) with and without macular involvement. Method: The study population consisted of 22 patients with AIDS and CMV-R with macular involvement (Group I), 19 patients with AIDS and CMV-R without macular involvement (Group II), and 202 individuals with negative serology for human immunodeficiency virus (Group III - control). Class I HLA antigens were typed by classical serology. Class II alleles were identified using sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers hybridized with amplified DNA. Results: HLA-DRB1*14 and HLA-DRB1*10 specificities were more frequent among patients with macular involvement, possibly indicating greater susceptibility to this condition. In contrast, the HLA-B35 antigen may be associated with protection against macular involvement since it was significantly more frequent among patients without this involvement. Conclusions: The HLA-DRB1*14 and HLA-DRB1*10 alleles may favor the development of CMV-R with macular involvement, whereas the HLA-B35 subtype may be associated with protection against macular involvement...