HLA-CLASS-I PHENOTYPE AND GENE-FREQUENCIES IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

HLA-A, B and C antigens were determined in 101 healthy subjects from t wo major and several minor ethnic groups in some parts of Southern Nig eria. Compared to earlier data based on a panel of expatriate Nigerian s, significant differences were observed in antigen phenotype and gene frequencies particularly at the HLA-A locus. At least three antigenic specificities not previously observed in the expatriate Nigerians wer e detected in the present study. These included HLA-B8, B14 and CW1. T hese antigens however occurred at low frequencies. The antigens A23 an d B7 were in positive linkage disequilibrium along with others which i nvolved CW4 with B53 or B35. It is concluded from our findings that HL A polymorphisms in Nigerians may not be completely reflected in major population group studies alone. It is possible that more specificities may be detected by continued testing of the minor ethnic groups. The importance of this could be immense in disease association studies inv olving HLA genes as well as in anthropology.