Background: The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and manifestations of SLE in different ethnic groups.
Methods: A DNA-based HLA-typing method was used to determine alleles of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 in Jamaican patients. A total of 70 patients and 100 control subjects were studied.
Results: HLA-DRB3*01/03 was significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE, while DRB1*15/16 was associated with the presence of oral ulcers in patients with SLE. The haplotype DRB1*13/14.DRB3*01/03 was also more frequent in SLE patients. No other significant associations were found.
Conclusion: The SLE HLA associations in Jamaicans differ from those in other black populations.