[HLA polymorphism and Behçet's disease in Moroccan population].

OBJECTIVES

We have study the various associations between Behçet disease and alleles HLA class I and II in Moroccan population. The distribution of HLA alleles involved in the disease is assessed according to clinical signs and sex.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patients suffering from Behçet's disease have been compared to healthy controls matched by age and ethnic origin. The HLA typing has been conducted by using microlymphocytotoxicity for the class I (A and B) and molecular biology (polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers) for the class II (DR and DQ).

RESULTS

In addition to the allele B51, -A2, -B5102, -B58 and -B72 predispose to the Behçet's disease and the alleles A23, -A33, -B18, -B41 and -B49 have a negative correlation in our Moroccan patients. The alleles A2 and -B72 are specific to men, -A68 and -B58 to women, whereas -B51 and -B5102 are predisposing to the Behçet's disease of both genders. The allele B51 is related to the mucous manifestations, -B72 to the vascularitis manifestations and -B58 to the cutaneous manifestations. The haplotypes A2-B51 has a high positive correlation with this Behçet's disease. Concerning class II, none of the alleles DRB1* is implicated in the pathology even though the allele DQB1*02 ensures the patients' protection.

CONCLUSIONS

The allele HLA-B51 shows a high positive correlation with the Behçet's disease. Other genetic factors seem to be implicated in susceptibility or protection against the disease.