The Prevalence of HLA-B*57 Serotype Associated with Hypersensitivity Reactions in the Treatment of HIV ?nfection in the Turkish Population

Objectives The aim of our study is to reveal the prevalence of HLA-B*57 in the Turkish population and to provide new perspectives to physicians starting abacavir therapy in HIV patients.Background Abacavir, one of the drugs used to treat HIV infection, can cause hypersensitivity reactions in some patients. These hypersensitivity reactions have been shown to be associated with the HLA-B*57:01 allele. High-resolution HLA-B*57:01 scanning has a time and cost disadvantage compared with low-resolution HLA-B*57 scanning. Before starting abacavir treatment, we will discuss whether high-resolution scanning is more beneficial in individuals who are positive on HLA-B*57 screening. This is the study with the largest cohort to investigate the prevalence of HLA-B*57 in Turkey.Methods The results of 25 thousand 318 people who applied to Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology for HLA-B* typing were scanned.Results In our study, the HLA-B*57 serotype was detected in 827 (3.3%) individuals.Conclusion Considering these results, it can be assumed that the prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 in Turkey is lower than 3.3%. Instead of a high-resolution HLA-B*57:01 scan in all patients starting abacavir therapy, a high-resolution HLA-B*57:01 scan might be of greater benefit in patients who are positive on a low-resolution HLA-B*57 scan.