1.A study on HLA-DR/DQ typing in adult Malay patients with acute amoebic liver abscess
Nazli Zainuddin ; Nurul Azira Mohd Shah ; Zeehaida Mohamed ; Nik Zairi Zakaria ; Nurul Khaiza Yahya ; Maya Mazuwin Yahya
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(6):341-345
Introduction: Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by
Entamoeba histolytica that may lead to death in developing
countries. Few important risk factors have been identified in
the development of amoebic liver abscess (ALA). There are
limited reports that suggest an association between
antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
particularly class II antigens and ALA development. This
present work aimed at studying the possible association of
HLA antigens with ALA and disease severity. Results of the
study may serve as a guide for further immunological
studies dealing with E. histolytica.
Methods: This preliminary study involved two groups of
subjects: 20 ALA patients in the experimental group and 40
healthy individuals in the control group. Cases were
selected from adult Malay patients confirmed with ALA
based on clinical signs and symptoms, radiological findings,
microbiological findings and who were admitted to the
medical or surgical ward, Hospital USM, Kelantan. Venous
blood was obtained from each patient and HLA typing was
then conducted using polymerase chain reaction specific
primer sequence.
Results: HLA DR12 was most frequently found in the healthy
control and ALA groups at 40% and 55% respectively. HLA
DQ7 and DQ8 were found to have the highest percentage in
the ALA group at 65%. In the control group, HLA DQ8 (57.5%)
had the highest percentage.
Conclusion: HLA antigens play a role in acquisition of ALA
and provide understanding of the disease outcome.