Evaluation of rs2856718 and rs9275572 polymorphisms frequency in the HLA-DQ gene between healthy donors and hepatitis B patients in the Khuzestan province

Introduction: In Asia, chronic hepatitis B is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases affecting public health. Studying the genetic polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is one of the influencing factors in the progression and development of this disease. Most studies have examined the association between HLA-DQ and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection/clearance, disease progression, and chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) complications. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of rs2856718 and rs9275572 polymorphisms on HBV patients and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: In this study, rs2856718 and rs9275572 were analyzed in 60 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 60 healthy individuals using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (TETRA-ARMS-PCR) method. Results: In this case-control study, 60 patients with CHB, consisting of 43 males and 17 females (71.7% male; 28.3% female; mean: 39.25 ± 9.67 years), and 60 healthy individuals, consisting of 16 males and 44 females (26.7% male; 73.3% female; mean: 32.98 ± 9.58 years), were enrolled. The results indicated that HLA-DQ recessive models, including rs2856718 (OR: 3.281; P = 0.007) and rs9275572 (OR: 5.8; P = 0.015), significantly increased risk, whereas the rs2856718 co-dominant model (OR: 0.357, P = 0.006) correlated with a decreased risk of CHB virus infection. Conclusion: The results can aid in identifying individuals at risk of HBV infection. The findings may indicate that the HLA-II gene in the host is a determining factor in the outcome of hepatitis B infection. Thus, studying these polymorphisms is recommended, especially in advanced liver disease.