HLA DRB5*01 Association Survey with Multiple Sclerosis in Khuzestan Province of Iran

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) (CNS). Although the cause of MS is currently unknown, both genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of MS. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles DRB1*1501, DRB5*0101, DQA1*0102, DQB1*0602 may have an important genetic effect. However, this is controversial in different population studies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of HLA DRB5*01 with MS in Khuzestan province. Methods: The present case-control study focused on HLA DRB5*01 association in 202 MS patients from Khuzestan. Seventy four point two five percent (74.25%) of patients classified as relapsing-remitting and other patients were as primary-progressive, secondary progressive and progressive-relapsing MS. One hundred eighty seven persons that have no any inflammatory diseases investigated as control group. Polymerase chain reaction amplification method was performed to determine the type of HLA with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The frequencies of the mentioned allele were compared between the patients and control group using SPSS 21 statistical software and the chi square test. Results: Twenty- seven point seven two percent (27.72%) of patients and 21.39% from the control group were positive with this type of HLA. Conclusions: This is the first study that investigate HLA DRB5*01 association with multiple sclerosis patients in Khuzestan. We found that there is no association between HLA DRB5*01 with multiple sclerosis in Khuzestan province (P = 0.148).