Fcγ receptor polymorphisms in populations in Ethiopia and Norway

Abstract

Seventy-seven healthy Ethiopians were genotyped for polymorphisms in the immunoglobulin G Fc receptors (FcγR) FcγRIIa, FcγRIIIa and FcγRIIIb, including the SH allele. The genotype and allele frequencies were compared with those of 96 healthy Norwegians. Ethiopians had higher frequencies of the SH-FcγRIIIb (P=0.001), FcγRIIIa-158 V (P=0.026) and FcγRIIIb-Na2 (P=0.046) alleles. The genotype distributions of FcγRIIa, FcγRIIIa and FcγRIIIb, however, did not differ significantly from those of the Norwegians. The data were also compared with those reported from studies on other ethnic groups. The variation of different polymorphisms both within and between ethnic groups may influence differences in the incidence rates of infectious and autoimmune diseases.