Human leukocyte antigen class I (A, B, C) and class II (DPB1, DQB1, DRB1) allele and haplotype variation in Black South African individuals

Abstract South Africa has a population of 58.78 million, of which 80.7% are Black African individuals, representing 9 predominant ethnic/linguistic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, South Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele). HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are the leading causes of death (7.8% and 5.9%, respectively) in this population group. To provide reference HLA allele and haplotype data for studies of gene-associations with infectious/non-infectious diseases or vaccine development, we have updated previously published HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II DRB1 genotypes and determined high-resolution class II (DPB1, DQB1) genotypes for n = 142 healthy, unrelated Black South African individuals.