HLA Antigens and Multiple Sclerosis in Barbagia, Sardinia: Preliminary Results

In almost all populations so far studied, MS appears to be associated to the HLA antigen DR2/DW2: the increased frequency of B7 and A3 observed mainly in North Europe Caucasian patients is probably a secondary phenomenon due to the known linkage disequilibrium between DR2, B7 and A3 in the general population. As regards the Italian MS patients, the lack of association between MS and A3 and/or B7 (Cazzullo and Smeraldi, 1972) and the increased frequency of DW2/DR2 (Zibetti et al., 1977; Mattiuz et al., 1980) have been observed. These data have been confirmed by a more recent study (Conighi et al., 1985) performed in a geographical area in North Italy (the province of Ferrara) where, until a few years ago, malaria was endemic; the frequencies of A3 and B7 are respectively 19% and 17% in MS patients vs. 17% and 12% in controls, while the frequency of DR2 is 60% in affected vs. 28% in healthy individuals (P corrected < 0.001, RR = 3.87). Preliminary results of a study performed in a peculiar Italian population, living in Barbagia are here reported. Barbagia covers a hilly and montainuous area in the central part of Sardinia. To the Sardinians, Barbagia refers to “the barbarian communities” who lived and still live in this region.