Coeliac Disease High-Risk Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles in a South African Type One Diabetic Population.

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder strongly associated with Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes DQ2 and DQ8. These alleles are also associated with other autoimmune diseases including type 1 dia-betes (T1D) and these patients are consequently at a higher risk of developing CD. We examined the frequency of high-risk HLA alleles in a cohort of South African T1D pediatric patients.

METHODS

A total of 22 pediatric participants were recruited at an endocrinology clinic in a public sector hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Clinical details were collected, and all patients were HLA typed at the DQ loci.

RESULTS

Of our T1D patients, 63.6% had at least 1 high-risk HLA type alleles associated with CD. Of the patients with high-risk alleles, DQ2 was found in the majority which is consistent with CD literature.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides preliminary insight into the frequency of the HLA-DQ types associated with CD in a South African population. The high prevalence of high-risk alleles in our T1D population motivates continual monitoring and further investigations into CD in South Africa.