HLA-B*27 in human health and disease

HLA-B*27 is one of the most studied HLA allele due to its association with diseases from the spondyloarthritis group, mainly ankylosing spondylitis. This association is still the strongest association described in the literature between an HLA gene and a disease. In the general population, the distribution of HLA-B*27 all over the world seems to vary according to the geographic area of the country. It also has a protective role against certain conditions, especially viral infections.