Association of HLA Alleles with Primary Sjögren Syndrome in the South Tunisian Population.

Objective: In order to investigate human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes predisposing to primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), we conducted an association study using HLA loci (A, B, and DRB1) and 9 polymorphic microsatellite markers spanning the HLA region in pSS patients as compared to healthy individuals.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-four patients fitting the European criteria of pSS and 123 healthy controls were analyzed for their HLA class I and class II alleles. HLA class I typing was performed using a standard microlymphocytotoxicity method followed by PCR-SSP.

Genetic diversity and haplotype structure of 21 Y-STRs, including nine noncore loci, in South Tunisian Population: Forensic relevance.

Y chromosome STRs (Y-STRs) are being used frequently in forensic laboratories. Previous studies of Y-STR polymorphisms in different groups of the Tunisian population identified low levels of diversity and discrimination capacity (DC) using various commercial marker sets. This definitely limits the use of such systems for Y-STRs genotyping in Tunisia.

Analysis of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, -DQ polymorphisms in the South Tunisian population and a comparison with other populations.

Background: The Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) system is often used as a genetic marker for analysing populations. HLA antigen distribution among the Tunisian population is not well defined because of the lack of a general population study.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the polymorphism of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ loci in the South Tunisian population.