HLA polymorphism in Israel. 8. The Armenian community in Jerusalem.

Gene and phenotype frequencies for the three HLA loci were determined for 90 random Armenians from the Old City of Jerusalem. Relatively high frequencies were found for HLA-A2, A3 and Aw24, while the lowest frequencies were those for Aw23 and Aw25. The major distinguishing antigen, when compared with European Caucasoids is Bw35 with a frequency of 22%. Two unusual associations between the B and C loci were observed: Bw 17, Cw3 and B7, Cw3. Another interesting association in Armenians, Aw32 Cw4, has previously been found only among Cochini Jews and Malay populations.