Human leucocyte antigen Class I and II alleles associated with anti‑hepatitis C virus‑positive patients of North India.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Humans are the only known natural hosts of hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study was undertaken to examine the frequencies of human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) Class I and Class II genotype profiles in anti‑HCV‑infected patients of Northern India. Materials and Methods: From a period of January 2013 to August 2014, 148 anti‑HCV‑positive patients of North India referred to the Department of Molecular Biology and Transplant Immunology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, for performing HLA typing were included in the study. Results: A*02, A*31 allele frequency decreased significantly in anti‑HCV‑positive patients. Frequencies for HLA‑B loci did not reach any statistical significance. Among the Class II alleles, HLA‑DRB1*03 and HLA‑DRB1*10 were significantly higher in the patient population, and HLA‑DRB1*15 was significantly decreased in the patient population as compared to the controls. Conclusion: HLA‑A*33 was significantly increased as compared to control population and showed geographic variation in HCV‑infected individuals of India.