1. HLA-E*0101 allele in homozygous state favors severe bacterial infections in sickle cell anemia.
- Author
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Tamouza R, Busson M, Fortier C, Diagne I, Diallo D, Sloma I, Contouris H, Krishnamoorthy R, Labie D, Girot R, and Charron D
- Subjects
- Adult, Anemia, Sickle Cell epidemiology, Bacterial Infections epidemiology, Black People, Comorbidity, Female, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Humans, Male, Mali epidemiology, Paris epidemiology, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Retrospective Studies, Senegal epidemiology, HLA-E Antigens, Alleles, Anemia, Sickle Cell genetics, Anemia, Sickle Cell microbiology, Bacterial Infections genetics, HLA Antigens genetics, Homozygote
- Abstract
Severe bacterial infections are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell anemia (SCA) but are poorly explained. The distribution of a bi-allelic polymorphism (Arg107Gly) of human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) locus was investigated in 144 SCA patients, most of whom originated from from sub-Saharan Africa. Among them, 73 presented with at least one severe bacterial infection, whereas 71 did not. The HLA-E*0101/E*0101 genotype was more frequent among the group with infections than their counterparts (47% vs 21%; p corrected = 0.003). This genetic association is of relevance, given the emerging evidence for the involvement of HLA-E molecules in host response to pathogens.
- Published
- 2007
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