HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, -DQ typing in a population group of Senegal: distribution of HLA antigens and HLA-DRB1*13 and DRB1*11 subtyping by PCR using sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).

One-hundred-and sixteen Senegalese Serere were typed for HLA antigens and compared with other ethnic groups in Gambia. We did not find significant differences (Fisher's exact test; P < 0.01) in the HLA antigens distribution between the Serere and Mandinka groups in Senegal and the Serere, Mandinka and Wolof in The Gambia. The most common HLA haplotypes found (P < 0.01; Chi square with Yates' correction) were: A1, B8; A2, B51; A32, B44; A33, B58; A2, Cw2; A2, Cw4; A33, Cw3; A2, DR17; A10, DR10; B35, Cw4; B53, Cw6; B57, Cw3; B65, Cw8; B50, DR15; B52, DR4; Cw2, DR17; DR7, DQ2; DR18, DQ4. The HLA-DRB1*13 and DRB1*11 alleles were subtyped by PCR-SSP and the frequencies of these alleles in the studied population given. HLA-DRB1*1304 and DRB1102 were the most common alleles found respectively 15.0 and 18.5%.