Objective: To explore possible associations between host polymorphism of HLA class II genotypes and advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis japonica.
Methods: 45 advanced schistosomiasis patients (experimental group) and 44 age- and sex-matched patients with chronic schistosomiasis (control group) from the same area were investigated for their HLA class II gene DRB genotypes by genotyping the alleles using microarray DNA chip. The correlation of allele frequencies to advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis was compared for the two groups.
Results: HLA-DRB1*04x exhibited markedly higher frequency in advanced patients than that in control group (P < 0.01, RR = 3.928). In contrast, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15x in advanced patients was much lower when compared with that in control group (P < 0.01, RR = 0.050). Besides, the significant allele HLA-DRB1*15x displayed concurrence with allele DRB5*010x/020x. The linked gene haplotype DRB1*15x-DRB5*010x/020x showed significantly higher incidence in control group than in experimental group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Allele HLA-DRB1*04x is positively, while HLA-DRB1*15x is negatively, correlated with advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.