What does it mean if you are HLA-B27 positive?
What does it mean if you are HLA-B27 positive?
A positive test means HLA-B27 is present. It suggests a greater-than-average risk for developing or having certain autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.
How is the HLA-B27 gene inherited?
AS can run in families, and the HLA-B27 gene can be inherited from another family member. If you have AS and tests show you carry the HLA-B27 gene then there is a 1 in 2 chance that you could pass on the gene to any children you have.
What autoimmune disease is HLA B27?
“B27 disease” is a new autoimmune disease that afflicts millions of people throughout the world. “B27 disease” occurs in individuals who have ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or preankylosing spondylitis and/or uveitis and are also positive for HLA-B27.
Can HLA B27 positive donate blood?
You do not need to do anything if you test positive for HLA antibodies. Your HLA antibodies pose absolutely no risk to you. You will remain eligible to donate red blood cells.
What does it mean if you are HLA B27 positive?
A positive HLA-B27 test means that the person tested is at increased risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases.
What is HLA B27 disease?
The most closely associated autoimmune disease with HLA-B27 is ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory disease in which some of the vertebrae of the spine fuse together, inhibiting mobility. An estimated 88 percent of people with AS are HLA-B27 positive, yet only a fraction of HLA-B27-positive people will develop AS ( 10 ).
How common is HLA B27?
HLA-B27 is found in about 6% of the U.S. population. People with HLA-B27 have an increased likelihood of developing autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), reactive arthritis (of which one subset is Reiter syndrome), and isolated acute anterior uveitis.
What is HLA type and how is it used?
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing is used to match patients and donors for bone marrow or cord blood transplants. HLA are proteins — or markers — found on most cells in your body. Your immune system uses these markers to recognize which cells belong in your body and which do not.
