Aim: To study possible immunogenetic HLA markers of chronic viral hepatitides.
Material and methods: Using the reaction of complement-dependent cytotoxicity by Terasaki, we analysed distribution of leukocytic HLA antigens (loci A, B and C) in 179 patients with chronic viral hepatitides B, C and D in Russians and Kazakhs living in the Astrakhan Region.
Results: In the Russian population we discovered a significant positive association of CVHB with HLA-B18, HLA-B35, HLA-B40, HLA-Cw3 antigens, and negative one--with HLA-A2. In Kazakhs with CVHB there was a positive association with HLA-A3, HLA-B18 and negative one--with HLA-A11. Alleles HLA-A10, HLA-B35, HLA-B40 and HLA-Cw3 mark CVHC in Russians. HLA-Cw4 specificity acts as protector in development of chronic HCV-infection. A correlation was found between carriage of some specificities and haplotypes of HLA and activity of chronic HBV and HCV infection. A high risk of chronic delta infection in Russians is associated with HLA-B8 and HLA-B35, in Kazakhs--with HLA-B35 and HLA-D40. There are significant associations between CVHB, CVHC, chronic delta infection and some HLA haplotypes.
Conclusion: A universal role of HLA-B35 specificity in development of CVH irrespective of hepatotropic virus and patients' nationality is shown.