Associations between HLA-C Alleles and Definite Meniereʹs Disease

Both genetic and environmental factors seem to play role in the etiology of Meniereʹs disease (MD). Several genes may be involved in susceptibility of MD including Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). The associations between MD and HLA alleles have been previously studied in other populations and certain HLA alleles were shown to be predisposing. The aim of this study was to determine the association between HLA-C allele frequencies and definite MD in patients who refer to Amir-Alam otolaryngology tertiary referral center in Tehran. Patients  with  definite  MD  (N=22)  enrolled  according  to  the  diagnostic  criteria  of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Cases with all 3 symptoms of MD (Vertigo, Tinnitus and lower frequency of sensory-neural hearing loss) were included and those with suspected MD were excluded from study. HLA-Cw allele frequencies  were  determined  in  patients  non-related  healthy  controls  (N=91)  using PCR -SSP. We found that the frequency of HLACw*04 was significantly higher in patients compared to the controls [P = 0.0015, OR; 20, 95% CI (3.7-196.9)]. Our results revealed that HLA-C is a genetic predisposing factor in definite MD in patients who refer to Amir-Alam otolaryngology tertiary referral center.