Background: Genetic susceptibility to lymphomas associated with human leukocyte antigens (HLA) has been broadly reported for many years. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential impact of various HLA antigens on the incidence of lymphoproliferative disorders in renal allograft recipients.
Material/methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we analysed data of PTLD patients from two of the major Iranian transplant centers and compared them with 1155 normal kidney recipients. Potential impact of previously reported relevant HLA antigens was assessed. For assessing independent impact of various factors, we used a multivariate proportional hazard analysis using Cox regression.
Results: Patients in the two groups were similar in their age at transplantation. PTLD group was significantly female predominated (61% vs. 33%). chi(2) showed a higher frequency of HLA-BW22 in the PTLD group. HLA-A2, HLA-A11, HLA-B5 and HLA-B35 concomitant with azathioprine based immunosuppression were significantly associated with PTLD occurrence.
Conclusions: Our findings can further alert us toward the initial signs of PTLDs in high risk kidney allograft recipients. Future prospective studies with larger patient population seem necessary for confirming our findings.