Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and HLA phenotypes in Jamaicans

ABSTRACT

The HLA phenotypes were investigated in 30 Jamaican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 30 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) an d forty healthy controls. HLA phenotypes were determined by the microcytotoxicity technique, using commercially prepared typing trays. In this study, the HLA phenotypic associations with SLE (HLA-B14, RR 4.3 HLA-A28, RR 4.3) were not statiscally significant. However, a statistically significant lack of HLA-A9 (p<0.01;CP<0.1) was observed in SLE patients compared to healthy controls. In RA patients, a statistically significant associations was noted with HLA-A2 (RR5.1; CP<0.01). No HLA class 11 associations were noted with SLE. Class 11 associations with RA did not achieve statistical significance but included those previously established in other populations. The preliminary data obtained from this study indicate differences in the patterns of HLA phenotypes in Jamaican patients with SLE and RA compared to those observed in such patients elsewhere. Further studies involving larger groups of patients and typing at the serological, cellular and molecular levels are clearly warranted