Human leucocyte antigen profile in patients with aids and cytomegalovirus retinitis with and without macular involvement

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus retinitis is one of AIDS ocular manifestations. The objective of the present study was to determine possible associations between class I and II HLA antigens and alleles in patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) with macular involvement. Method: The study population consisted of 22 patients with AIDS and CMV-R with macular involvement (Group I), 19 patients with AIDS and CMV-R without macular involvement (Group II), and 202 individuals with negative serology for human immunodeficiency virus (Group III - control). Class I HLA antigens were typed by classical serology. Class II alleles were identified using sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers hybridized with amplified DNA. Results: HLA-DRB1*14 and  HLA-DRB1*10 specificities were more frequent among patients with macular involvement, possibly indicating greater susceptibility to this condition. In contrast, the HLA-B35 antigen may be associated with protection against macular involvement since it was significantly more frequent among patients without this involvement. Conclusions: The HLA-DRB1*14 and HLA-DRB1*10  alleles may favor the development of CMV-R with macular involvement, whereas the HLA-B35 subtype may be associated with protection against macular involvement.