Distribution of HLA Antigens in Ticuna Indians of Brazil: Results of Typing a Leprosy‐Affected Family

Abstract

HLA typing was performed in 1978 on lymphocytes separated and frozen in the field during a 1976 expedition among [Brazilian] Amazonian Ticuna Indians. Family segregation of HLA antigens was used to ascertain haplotypes of a sample of essentially unrelated reproductive-age adults. Expaternal haplotypes were also included in the total of 81 haplotypes used for calculating the A and B locus gene frequencies. Common A and B locus antigens among the Ticuna were Aw24, Aw31, A2, Bw39, B40, Bw35 and B15.1. Bw52 and Bw53 were also present. No A or B locus blanks were found. A slight degree of European admixture was apparent. Bw16-reactive cells from certain persons consistently failed to react with Oxford antisera capable of recognizing the Bw38 or Bw39 subspecificities. Cw1 and Cw3 were found in association with typical South Amercian Indian haplotypes. The results of HLA typing of a large extended family with multiple cases of leprosy are depicted and compared to recently reported family studies of leprosy.