Whether or not there is an association
between HLA antigen(s) and/or
haplotypes aud relapse in patients successfully
treated for pulmonary tuberculosis was
examined. Serological determination of HLA
-A, - B, -DR and -DQ antigens was carried
out in patients with quiescent pulmonary tuberculosis
and bacteriologically relapsed patients,
after treatment with short course chemotherapy
with Rifampicin, Isoniazid,
Pyrazinamide and Streptomycin or
Ethambutol in various combinations for 6-8
month Au increased antigen frequency of
HLA -Al (P = 0.03) and B17 was seen in patients
with bacteriological relapse compared
with those with quiescent disease. The relative
risks (RR) were Al = 2.8 and B17 = 3.2,
respectively, The haplotypes Al-B17 (RR =
3.3), B17-DR7 (RR = 3.0), Al-DR7 (p = 0.04;
RR = 9.3) were very common in patients
with bacteriological relapse. This increase of
HLA-Al, B17 antigens or the haplotypes Al-
B 17, B17-DR7 or Al-DR7 (P = 0.04) was seen
irrespective of the treatment regimen. The
present study suggests that HLA -Al (and -
B17) antigen(s), as such, and/or haplotypes Al- :
DR7 or non-HLA genes linked closer to HLA
-A, -B and -DR loci may be associated with
relapse of pulmonary tuberculosis, after chemotherapy
