HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGENS AND RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the correlation between human leukocyte antigens and rheumaticheart disease in Iranian population.<br /> Background; Rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease are one of the major public health.problems in this country,as well as in most of the developingcountries. Methods: The distribution of human leukocyte antigens was evaluated in 92 rheumatic valvular heart disease patients. Class I (A, 13and C) and class n (DR and DQ) antigenswere studied in 92 patients and comparedwith 200 normal subjects.<br /> Results: This study showed significantcorrelations between rheumatic heart disease and DQW2 antigen, (57.4% versus 19%, p<0.0001) as well as DRW53 (47.5% versus 8.5%, p<0.0001) and A24 (31.2% versus 13.3%,p<0.005).<br /> Conclusion: Human leukocyte antigens (DQW2, DRW53 and A24) are more ftequent in rheumatic valvular heart disease than normal population and could be.markers for more susceptibilityto rheumatic heart diseasein Iranianpopulation.