1445-5994/asset/IMJ_left.gif?v=1&s=722ef184f9aa72bae1325726c13455ad3dbfce2e)
1445-5994/asset/IMJ_right.gif?v=1&s=6f6ad9c8c9af5b4790d0d9c33600f5165960a8dd)
Usefulness of human leucocyte antigen-B27 subtypes in predicting ankylosing spondylitis: Taiwan experience
Article first published online: 7 AUG 2007
DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01450.x
2007 Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hou, T.-Y., Chen, H.-C., Chen, C.-H., Chang, D.-M., Liu, F.-C. and Lai, J.-H. (2007), Usefulness of human leucocyte antigen-B27 subtypes in predicting ankylosing spondylitis: Taiwan experience. Internal Medicine Journal, 37: 749–752. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01450.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 AUG 2007
- Article first published online: 7 AUG 2007
- Received 11 January 2007; accepted 21 May 2007.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- HLA-B27 subtype
Abstract
Background: Genetic factors are clearly attributed to the susceptibility of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 proved to be the very useful marker for diagnosing AS. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HLA-B27 subtypes in Taiwan and to investigate whether these subtypes may be of help in predicting the diagnosis of AS.
Methods: A total of 314 patients with AS and a control group of 71 subjects positive for HLA-B27 detected by flow cytometry analysis were recruited for the study. HLA-B27 subtypes were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing.
Results: Four B27 alleles were identified: B*2704, B*2705, B*2706 and B*2707. HLA-B*2704 was the predominant allele. There were significant differences in the distribution of HLA-B27 subtypes between patients with AS and controls. Five of them who were homozygous for the B*2704 allele were solely found in AS group but not in controls. Statistical analysis showed that B*2704 was positively associated with AS, which suggested an increased possibility of having AS. Other HLA-B27 subtypes showed no strong correlation with AS.
Conclusion: In the Taiwanese population, susceptibility to AS was determined by the presence of HLA-B*2704. Although B*2706 was reported to have a negative association with AS in Taiwanese, Thai and Chinese Singaporean populations, we report, in our study, two AS patients with B*2706 (0.6%). Disease heterogeneity suggests that other than genetic background, many pathogenic factors could be associated with AS. This may need to be investigated with a larger group of patients with AS and controls.