Association of Human Leukocyte Antigen DQ1 and Dengue Fever in a White Southern Brazilian Population

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2004-10, Vol.99 (6), p.559-562
• Main Authors: Polizel, José Roberto, Bueno, Danilo, Visentainer, Jeane Eliete L, Sell, Ana Maria, Borelli, Sueli Donizete, Tsuneto, Luiza Tamie, Dalalio, Marcia Machado O, Coimbra, Maria Teresa M, Moliterno, Ricardo Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aedes aegypti; Brazil; Case-Control Studies; Dengue - genetics; Dengue - immunology; dengue fever; Dengue Virus - immunology; Dengue virus type 1; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; HLA-DQ Antigens - genetics; HLA-DQ Antigens - immunology; human leukocyte antigens; human leukocyte antigens - dengue fever - Brazil; Humans; Male; PARASITOLOGY; Risk Factors; TROPICAL MEDICINE
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762004000600003

Dengue is an infectious disease of viral etiology transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti , A. albopictus, and A. scutellaris. It can develop either as a benign form or as a severe hemorrhagic form. Previous work showed an association of the hemorrhagic form with human leukocyte antigens (HLA), suggesting a role of genetic factors in disease susceptibility. Nevertheless, data on HLA association with the classical form of the disease is scarce in literature. Sixty-four patients and 667 normal individuals, living in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil, were used as test and control group, respectively. The patients developed the disease during a virus 1 dengue outbreak either in Maringá city in 1995 (47) or in Paranavaí city in 1999 (17). The diagnostic was confirmed through serology and/or viral culture. HLA class I and II typing was performed by the classical microlynfocitotoxicity test using monoclonal antisera and fluorobeads. Qui-square statistical analysis confirmed a positive association with HLA-DQ1 (76.6% vs 57.7%; p = 0.005243; pc = 0.026215). HLA-DR1 also presented an increased frequency in the test group, not statistically significant after p correction though (32.8% vs 15.9%; p = 0.005729; pc = 0.080206). In conclusion, genetic factors may play a role on the susceptibility to the classical dengue, virus 1, in the Brazilian population. Further independent studies should be performed in the Brazilian population to confirm these preliminary data.