Abstract
Background
Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), which are genetic markers that have critical roles in the immune response against pathogens, vary greatly among individuals.
Objectives
To investigate the frequency of HLA class I (HLA‐A, HLA‐B, and HLAC) and class II (HLA‐DRB1, HLA‐DQB1, and HLA‐DQA1) genes in patients with multiple skin warts and to elucidate the role of these genes in the genetic susceptibility to skin warts.
Methods
Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 100 patients with multiple skin warts and 300 healthy individuals (controls). HLA typing was performed after DNA isolation from the blood samples.
Results
The HLA‐A*02 (odds ratio (OR): 0.12; p = 0.002), HLA‐DQA1*03:01 (OR: 0.45; p = 0.002), and DQA1*05:01 (OR: 0.17; p < 0.001) genes were significantly more prevalent in the patients than in the healthy individuals and were thus identified as risk genes. The DQA1*01:01 (OR: 0.17; p < 0.001), DQA1*01:02 (OR: 0.17; p < 0.001), and DQA1*01:03 (OR: 0.11; p < 0.001) genes were classified as protective genes because of their low frequencies in the patients.
Study limitation
Human papillomavirus typing could not be performed while investigating the relationship between skin warts and HLA class I and class II genes.
Conclusion
Our data suggest the role of HLA genes in the development of skin warts. However, other components of the major histocompatibility complex system and acquired factors of the immune system could also be involved and should be further investigated.