HLA CLASS-I GENE, ANTIGEN AND HAPLOTYPE FREQUENCIES IN NEW-ZEALAND MAORI AND EUROPEANS

Aim. To determine class I HLA gene, antigen and haplotype frequencies for New Zealand Maori and Europeans. Methods. Statistical analysis was performed using accumulated data from Maori (n = 576) and European (n 1747) parentage studies. Results. HLA class I gene, antigen and haplo type frequencies are as tabulated. Significant statistical differences were shown to exist between New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Europeans and Europeans. Gene frequencies of HLA Al, 3, 9, 11, 19 and HLA B7, 8, 12, 16, 22, and 40 differed significantly between New Zealand Maori a nd New Zealand European data. Gene frequencies of HLA Al and B12 diffe red significantly between New Zealand European and European data. Conc lusions. This HLA frequency data can be used for calculating more reli able indices of paternity or for determining the potential availabilit y of matched organs for transplantation, as well as for anthropologica l studies. The data may also be useful in forensic investigations.