J Appl Biomed 23:36-44, 2025 | DOI: 10.32725/jab.2025.004

Distribution of human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) in Slovak patients

Alexandra Pôbišová1, Andrea Kollárová1, Vladimír Langraf2, František Strejček3, Ramona Babosová2, *
1 Faculty Hospital Nitra, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Genetics Laboratory, Nitra, Slovak Republic
2 Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Nitra, Slovak Republic
3 Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Department of Botany and Genetics, Nitra, Slovak Republic

Background and objectives: HLA-B27 is a genetic marker associated with spondyloarthropathies, particularly ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis. While its prevalence varies across populations, no data exist for Slovak patients. This study aimed to determine HLA-B27 prevalence in Slovak patients with suspected spondyloarthropathies and assess differences by sex and age.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 1,614 patients (888 females and 726 males) was analyzed for HLA-B27 status (positive/negative) using reverse hybridisation (HLA-B27 StripAssay). Statistical analyses included Pearson's Chi-square test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for sex- and age-related differences.

Results: HLA-B27 positivity was 20.57%, with a higher proportion in males (23.28%) than females (18.36%, p = 0.0177). The less than 20 age group had the highest absolute number of positive cases (126 cases; 17.80%), while the 21-40 group had the highest relative positivity (119 cases; 29.38%). The lowest positivity was in the more than 61 age group (17 cases; 13.08%), though age distribution differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.7765). Positivity varies across diagnoses, peaking in musculoskeletal (M) and eye disorders (H), where it exceeds 29%.

Conclusion: HLA-B27 positivity is strongly associated with rheumatologic and ophthalmologic conditions and exhibits age- and sex-related variability. These findings emphasize the diagnostic significance of HLA-B27 testing in Slovak patients, especially for early detection and management of spondyloarthropathies. Further research on HLA-B27 variability and its clinical implications is needed to optimize diagnostic strategies and patient care.

Keywords: Age-related patterns; Gender differences; HLA-B27; Prevalence; Slovak population; Spondyloarthritis
Grants and funding:

This research was supported by the grant KEGA No. 026UKF-4/2024.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: September 1, 2024; Revised: February 17, 2025; Accepted: March 17, 2025; Prepublished online: March 25, 2025; Published: March 27, 2025  Show citation

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Pôbišová A, Kollárová A, Langraf V, Strejček F, Babosová R. Distribution of human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) in Slovak patients. J Appl Biomed. 2025;23(1):36-44. doi: 10.32725/jab.2025.004. PubMed PMID: 40145884.
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