Properdin factor B allotypes in diabetic Nigerians. A preliminary report on chromosome 6 markers.

Properdin factor B(B1) allotypes were determined in patients with insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus (n=15); in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus n=15); and in healthy Nigerians (n=252) from various tribal groups. In all three groups only commonly reported Bf allotypes namely BfF, F1, S and S1 were observed. More important, BfF1 allele was significantly increased in patients with insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus (expected 1/15, observed 5/15), X 2 =P<0.005). It is suggested that this allele is probably the same as that reported in caucasoids and is part of a supratype or ancestral haplotype defined by HLA-B18, C4A3, C4A3, BQo, BfF1, DR3 marking type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus