MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY SYSTEM AS A RISK FACTOR FOR ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE

Several associations between alleles of the major histocompatibility s ystem and alcoholic liver disease have been described. However, these are weak and change from one population to another. The aim of this wo rk was to search for a possible genetic risk factor for alcoholic live r among Chilean alcoholics. We studied blood groups, serum proteins an d HLA antigens in 39 alcoholic cirrbotics, 104 asymptomatic alcoholics and 44 non alcoholic controls. Asymptomatic alcoholics were also subj ected to a percutaneous liver biopsy that showed moderate to severe hi stological liver damage in 46 subjects (44%). No differences in the st udied genetic markers, were found among the four groups. It is conclud ed that this study does not confirm previously reported associations b etween genetic markers and alcoholic liver disease.