HLA GENE AND HAPLOTYPE FREQUENCIES IN BONE-MARROW DONORS WORLDWIDE REGISTRIES

To calculate reliable HLA gene and haplotype frequencies of bone marro w donors in various regions in the world, we have analyzed the HLA-A, -B, and -DR phenotype frequencies of 18 bone marrow donor registries w ith a total of more than 300,000 HLA-A, -B-typed donors. These registr ies were included in the 22nd edition of Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide. Maximum likelihood gene frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium fit, and 2- and S-locus haplotype frequencies were calculated as well as de ltas, relative deltas, and their significance. Remarkable gene and hap lotype frequency differences exist between the registries. The genetic distances between the different registries were used to draw phylogen etic trees that clearly show that the degree of similarity between reg istries is related to their geographic locations. The resulting freque ncies can be used for the estimation of the probability of finding a h yplotypically identical related or unrelated bone marrow donor for an individual patient. Phylogenetic trees are useful representations of t he similarity between donor pools and can also aid in the selection of donors. (C) X. F. Schipper, 1997.