Abstract:

Objective To investigate the association of HLA-A and -B alleles with syphilis in Shandong Han population. Methods The allele frequencies of HLA-A and -B were detected in 205 patients with syphilis and 5844 normal human controls by PCR-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe （PCR-SSOP） method. Results The patients with syphilis showed a higher frequency of HLA-A*02, B*15, B*40 alleles （all P < 0.01, Pc < 0.05） and a lower frequency of HLA-A*26 allele （P = 0.003, Pc = 0.039） than the normal human controls did. There was an increased frequency of HLA-B*15 and B*40 alleles in patients with symptomatic syphilis （both P < 0.01, Pc < 0.05）, as well as an elevated frequency of HLA-A*02, 11, 29, B*15 and 40 alleles （all P < 0.01, Pc < 0.05） and a decreased frequency of HLA-A*30 and 33 in patients with asymptomatic syphilis （P = 0.002, 0.026, Pc = 0.001, 0.013 respectively）, compared with the normal human controls. The frequency of HLA-A*30 allele was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic syphilis than in those with asymptomatic syphilis （P = 0.001, Pc = 0.013）. Conclusions There seems to be an association between HLA-A*02, B*15 and B*40 alleles and syphilis, between HLA-A*30 allele and symptomic syphilis, and between HLA-A*02, 11 and 29 alleles and asymptomatic syphilis, in Shandong Han population.

Key words: PCR-SSOP