HLA PHENOTYPE AND HAPLOTYPE FREQUENCIES IN SARDINIA (ITALY)

The gene and haplotype frequencies of the HLA-A, B, Cw, UR and DQ loci were determined in two Sardinian samples from the Nuoro (N = 252) and Sassari (N = 153) districts. Our data were compared with those report ed for other Italian, European, and Mediterranean populations and prev iously studied Sardinian samples. The results showed that the two samp les differ from other Italian and European populations in the frequenc ies of many alleles and haplotypes. For example in the A2, B18, Cw5 an d DR3 allele frequencies and the A1-B8, A2-B17, A3-B7, A30-B18, A2-Cw7 , A30-Cw5, A30-DR3, A32-DR2, Cw5-DR3 and Cw7-DR4 haplotype frequencies . In common with the Mediterranean populations, Sardinians, too, have a limited number of haplotypes with significant linkage disequilibrium . The results revealed therefore, significant genetic differentiation between Sardinians and other European and Mediterranean populations, c onfirming the genetic peculiarity of the Sardinians.