HLA-A*31 as a marker of genetic susceptibility to sepsis

OBJECTIVE: The HLA haplotype has been associated with many autoimmune diseases, but no associations have been described in sepsis. This study aims to investigate the HLA system as a possible marker of genetic sepsis susceptibility. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study including patients admitted to an intensive care unit and healthy controls from a list of renal transplant donors. Patients with less 18 years of age; pregnant or HIV positive patients; those with metastatic malignancies or receiving chemotherapy; or with advanced liver disease; or with end-of-life conditions were excluded. The DNA was extracted from the whole blood and HLA haplotypes determined using MiliPlex(®) technology. RESULTS: From October 2010 to October 2012, 1,121 patients were included (1,078 kidney donors, 20 patients admitted with severe sepsis and 23 with septic shock). HLA-A*31 positive subjects had increased risk of developing sepsis (OR 2.36, 95%CI 1.26-5.35). Considering a p value <0.01, no other significant association was identified. CONCLUSION: HLA-A*31 expression is associated to risk of developing sepsis.