Distribution of HLA allele frequencies in patients with cystic echinococcosis in Latvia

Abstract

The incidence of echinococcosis in European countries varies from 0.1 to 10 cases per 100,000 residents and Latvia has relatively high number of cases. The development of cystic echinococcosis is associated with the individual factors of the host organism, as well as immunological reactions and HLA DRB1 is the most polymorphic of the HLA class II genes and therefore it can be used for individual identification. We can conclude that in the case of cystic echinococcosis a more severe course of a disease can be anticipated in the presence of HLA DRB1 alleles *17:01 and *04:01, DQB1 *03:02, DQA1*04:01. As well in the event of cystic echinococcosis HLA DRB1 alleles *01:01 and *15:01, DQA1 *01:01 can be considered as protective. Immunogenetic data could prove significant for therapy planning in accordance with the individual characteristics of a patient, because no data on the optimal duration of therapy and whether the therapy can be terminated without facilitating the relapse of the infection are not currently available.