HLA class I gene, antigen and haplotype frequencies in New Zealand Maori and Europeans.

AIM: To determine class I HLA gene, antigen and haplotype frequencies for New Zealand Maori and Europeans. METHODS: Statistical analysis was performed using accumulated data from Maori (n = 576) and European (n = 1747) parentage studies. RESULTS: HLA class I gene, antigen and haplotype frequencies are as tabulated. Significant statistical differences were shown to exist between New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Europeans and Europeans. Gene frequencies of HLA A1, 3, 9, 11, 19 and HLA B7, 8, 12, 16, 22, and 40 differed significantly between New Zealand Maori and New Zealand European data. Gene frequencies of HLA A1 and B12 differed significantly between New Zealand European and European data. CONCLUSIONS: This HLA frequency data can be used for calculating more reliable indices of paternity or for determining the potential availability of matched organs for transplantation, as well as for anthropological studies. The data may also be useful in forensic investigations.