Association between HLA antigens and progression of HIV infection in Greek haemophiliacs.

The frequencies of HLA antigens in 33 HIV seronegative and in 88 HIV seropositive haemophiliacs, who have been followed for at least 6 years since seroconversion or first HIV positive test, were evaluated in relation to disease susceptibility and disease progression. A high frequency of HLA-A2 and -DR2 antigens and a low frequency of HLA-A9 were found to characterize HIV seropositive patients (p < 0.05). Progressors to symptomatic CDC stage IV had a higher frequency of HLA-A9 (p < 0.01) and DR3. Rapid decline of CD4+ T cells in these patients was associated with HLA-A9, -DR1 and DR3. Our data suggest that HLA antigens may contribute to susceptibility to HIV infection and disease progression in Greek haemophiliacs.