HLA in two islands of French Polynesia

The HLA-A, B, and C antigens of 243 individuals from two Polynesian islands, Maiao and Hiva Oa, have been characterized. 328 haplotypes were defined by family analysis. Most frequent antigens were A2, A11, Aw24, A26, Aw34; Bw38, Bw39, Bw48, Bw55, Bw56, Bw60; Cw1, Cw3, and Cw4. Several other antigens were present at low frequency or were present on only one island. New variants of Bw22 and B40 were found. Despite an overall similarity in antigens of the two islands, the combination of HLA-A, B and C antigens on the haplotype were distinctive. Of 328 total haplotypes identified, 65 were unique. Thirteen of these (20%) were present on both islands. Twenty-eight (43%) were unique to Hiva Oa and 24 (37%) were unique to Maiao. Significant, positive linkage disequilibrium values (▵) for HLA-A, B and HLA-B, C antigens were also different for the two populations.