Prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 allele in HIV-positive and HIV-negative population of eastern India: An epidemiological study

Introduction: The nucleoside analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor Abacavir has potent antiviral activity against HIV; however, 5-8% patients develop hypersensitivity reactions within six weeks of treatment. The presence of the HLA-B*57:01 allele is strongly associated with the risk of Abacavir-associated hypersensitivity reaction (ABC-HSR). Prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 allele varies in different populations. This observational study was performed to determine the prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 allele in the population of Eastern India which included both HIV-positive and HIV-negative subjects. Methods: We screened 406 subjects attending the ART (antiretroviral treatment) centre and linked ICTC (Integrated counselling and testing centre), however 6 samples did not have adequate DNA. HLA-B*57:01 typing was done using direct sequence specific primer PCR (SSP-PCR). All PCR positive samples were sequenced using Sanger's method. Results: The prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 genotype in our cohort was 12.25% (49/400). Prevalence among men was 13.3% (33/248) and female was 10.5% (16/152). The prevalence was similar in HIV-positive subjects (13.5%) and in HIV-negative subjects (11%). Conclusions: Prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 in our eastern Indian population was high. Therefore, screening for HLAB*57:01 before ABC administration would be useful to prevent ABC-HSR.