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.

What diseases are associated with the HLA-B27 gene?

The most notable conditions among these include: ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis (previously referred to as Reiter syndrome), Behçet’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriatic arthritis. These conditions fall under the umbrella of seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

What autoimmune disease is HLA-B27?

The most common autoimmune disorders connected with HLA-B27 antigens are:

• Ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine.
• Juvenile arthritis, which occurs in children.
• Reactive arthritis, a type of arthritis in the joints.

Is HLA-B27 positive rare?

HLA-B27 is rare in the American black population whereas Eskimo populations carry it much more frequently than Western Europeans, with prevalence rates of 25% or more. This antigen is associated with ankylosing spondylitis in virtually all racial groups studied.

Can HLA-B27 positive donate blood?

What should I do if I test positive for HLA Antibody? 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.

Is milk good for ankylosing spondylitis?

Following a diet that provides adequate calcium and vitamin D can help to keep your bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis if you don’t already have it. Calcium is found in dairy products such as milk and yogurt, as well as in a variety of nondairy foods, including: Collard greens.

How serious is HLA-B27?

The presence of HLA-B27 on your white blood cells can cause your immune system to attack those otherwise healthy cells. When this occurs, it can result in an autoimmune disease or immune-mediated disease, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

What does the presence of HLA-B27 mean?

HLA-B27 is a genetic marker. In people with inflammatory arthritis of the spine and joints (not osteoarthritis), a positive HLA-B27 test is associated with the presence of one of a group of diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

Why is HLA called an antigen?

HLA genes are highly polymorphic, which means that they have many different alleles, allowing them to fine-tune the adaptive immune system. The proteins encoded by certain genes are also known as antigens, as a result of their historic discovery as factors in organ transplants.

What are HLA markers?

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.