Characterisation of HLA-DR antigen in patients type 1 diabetes mellitus in patient attending a tertairy hospital in Enugu, south-east Nigeria

Background: The association between HLA-DR antigen and diabetes mellitus was studied in know diabetic patient on medication at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu. The study was done to characterize the HLA-DR antigen in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Materials and methods: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Hospital Research Ethics Committee, while informed consent was obtained from each member of the studied group. Whole blood was collected from each subject using standard venipuncture into an EDTA anticoagulant bottle and fluoride tube. The fasting glucose level was determined by enzymatic oxidase-peroxidase method and glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) spectrophotometrically. The HLA-DR antigen alleles were studied using sequence specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) techniques. Results: The mean results of glucose and HbAlc levels were normal and showed no significant difference when they were compared according to their alleles. The correlation using Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's Multiple comparison test showed no significant difference in all the group; HbAlcvs HLA-DR antigens and glucose levels vs HLA-DR antigens P = 0.7325 and P = 0.6081. However, the alleles HLA- DRB4*01 (17.5%), DRB1* 03 (29.2%) and DRB1*15 (35%) showed higher frequencies in the group studied. Conclusion: This infers that these alleles may be predictive of diabetes in Enugu.