Prevalence of Human Leukocyte Antigen HLA-B*5701 in HIV-1 Infected Individuals in Brazil

Abstract

This study was designed to establish the prevalence of HLA-B*5701 at HIV-1 infected individuals in Brazil. A total of 517 consecutive individuals were followed in this study from February 2009 through July 2011. The presence of HLA-B*5701 was determined by Nested-PCR with HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*5701 sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The expression of HLA-B*57 was negative in the 385 (74.5%) and positive in the 103 (19.9%) of infected individuals. Among these, the expression of HLA-B5701 was positive in the 29 (5.6%) of individuals. No demographic or ethnic differences were found between HLA-B*57/HLA-B*5701 HIV-1 negative patients, with a prevalence of Caucasians (57.1%) individuals. During the period of study, 68 patients were submited to an abacavir containing regimen. The HLA-B*5701 allele was observed in 7 (10.3%) patients, with a significant incidence of Hypersensitivity reactions at 4 of them (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although Brazilian population consists of a mixture of individuals of Caucasian, African and Native American genetic background, prevalence of HLA-B*5701 in this population is similar to the one found in pure Caucasians.