Association of the polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 gene with susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Xinjiang Han population

Objectives To investigate the association between the polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Xinjiang Han population. Methods 228 patients with tuberculosis in Tacheng and Shihezi of Xinjiang province were tested for the HLA-DRBl gene using the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) technique, and the results were compared with those of 231 healthy individuals. Gene frequencies (GFs) were calculated and compared. Using Chi-square test to analysis the association between alleles and tuberculosis. Results The frequency of HLA-DRBl * 12 is 9.92% in the group with tuberculosis disease, and it is significantly higher than 2. 85% in the group of contort(χ2 = 18. 76, Pc<0.01). The freuqency of HLA-DRBl * 11 in tuberculosis was significantly decreased (χ2 =9.513, Pc <0. 05). Conclusion The results showed that HLA-DRBl * 12 was probably susceptible gene in tuberculosis for Xinjiang Han population, and HLA-DRBl * 11 may be a protective gene for Xinjiang Han population. Key words: Tuberculosis; Genotype; HLA-DRBl gene; PCR-SSP