Distribution of HLA antigens in the native South Indian Tamil Hindus

Abstract
Blood samples from 240 unrelated healthy Tamil-speaking South Indian Hindus residing in Madras (capital city of Tamil Nadu, India) were screened for HLA-A and -B antigen profiles. Antigen, gene and haplotype frequencies were calculated and compared with the literature. Tamil Hindus lack A31, A32, Aw33, B16, B21 and Bw41. However, except for minor differences (low occurrence of Aw19 antigen), the South Indians show similarity to North Indian and other Indian groups. The data confirm once more than the haplotype A1-B17 is characteristic of Indians.