Tuberculoid leprosy in Mexicans is associated with HLA-DR3

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Abstract
HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens were investigated in a total group of 76 leprosy patients, classified according to the system of Ridley and Jopling in 30 TT and 46 LL individuals. A group of 100 healthy subjects were included for comparison. Patients and controls were all Mexican Mestizos born and inhabitants of Mexico. Typing of blood group systems was also performed. All TT patients showed a positive lepromin skin test, while all LL patients were negative to the specific antigen. The distribution of red-cell antigens was similar in both groups. The results of HLA typing demonstrated a significant association of DR3 with the tuberculoid type (X2 = 11.85; p = 0.0007; pc = 0.04). The RR value for DR3 carriers was 4.93 and the EF was 0.24. It is concluded that a Class II-linked susceptibility gene plays an important role in the expression of tuberculoid leprosy. This gene is closely linked to DR3 in the Mexican population.