HLA Class II Genotyping in Chronic HCV Patients

Background: Response to therapy for HCV infection varies among individuals. Studies suggest that this variation may be linked to HLA profile. Objectives: We aimed to identifying the HLA class II DR and DQ genotypes in HCV patients with self limiting versus chronic infection undergoing treatment to reveal any association with HLA. Methodology: Three groups of Patients have been enrolled in the study: Group A 30 patients with self-limiting HCV infection. Group B 30 patients with Sustained virological response. Group C 30 chronic HCV patients non responders to therapy.  Samples were subjected to HLA genotyping for 19 HLA-DRB (DRB1*01-16, DRB3-5) and 5 HLADQB (DQB1*02-06) alleles by PCR amplification. Results revealed a significantly higher detection of HLA-DRB1*11(60%, p=0*002) in subjects with self limiting infection in comparison to chronic cases, HLA DRB3 (93.3%, p=0.01) and HLA-DQB1*03 (66.7%, p=0*001). While, HLA-DRB4 detection was significantly higher in chronic HCV patients (80%,p=0*0002)and in patients that failed to respond to treatment (86.7%, p=0.008).Findings revealed that HLA-DRB1*11, DRB3 and DQB1*03 had significantly higher association with subjects with self limiting disease and sustained viral response to treatment. While the HLA- DRB4 showed higher association with non responders to therapy. Conclusion our results confirms that HLA class II type might affect outcome of HCV infection and response to treatment.