#5950 MAJOR HLA ALLELE AND HAPLOTYPE FREQUENCIES IN THE MALTESE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT REGISTRY

Abstract Background and Aims The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are the most diverse polymorphic genes in genome matching them is of vital importance for maximising survival kidney transplants. Maltese archipelago consists three inhabited islands Mediterranean Sea, with a total population just over half million people. HLA polymorphisms Malta have never been described. aim this study was to investigate allelic frequencies determine common haplotypes major Class I II groups transplant registry. This will hopefully facilitate organ sharing other European countries improve recipients. Method All patients ethnicity on national list between 2018 2022 were analysed retrospectively. typing routinely performed at medium high resolution using polymerase chain reaction sequence specific oligonucleotide probes Luminex technology HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ HLA-DP loci. Allele haplotype calculated by direct counting simple percentages. Results A 191 patient samples yielding following allele types: 16 31 17 15 HLA-DRB1, 6 HLA-DP, 7 HLA-DQ, 5 HLA-DRB3, one HLA-DRB4 DRB5. frequent HLA-A locus HLA-A*02 (30.9%), HLA-A*24 (12.0%) HLA-A*01 (11.8%) whilst HLA-B these HLA-B*35 (16.2%), HLA-B*18 (11.5%) HLA-B*51 (7.1%). prevalent HLA-DRB1 HLA-DRB1*11 (24.1%), HLA-DRB1*04 (13.1%) HLA-DRB1*07 (11.3%). commonest group each HLA-DR loci HLA-C*07 (23.6%), HLA-DP4 (5.8%), HLA-DQ7 (31.2%) respectively. five frequently encountered HLA-A*02-B*13-DRB1*07 (2.1%), HLA-A*02-B*35-DRB1*04 (1.6%), HLA-A*02-B*18-DRB1*10 (1.3%), HLA-A*02-B*35-DRB1*11 HLA-A*24-B*35-DRB1*11 (1.3%). Conclusion provides first data Major candidates. Such may be crucial setting up international exchange programmes.