Human Leukocyte Antigen B*27 (subtypes B*2701-2724) is a class I surface antigen encoded by the B locus in the MHC on chromosome 6. It presents microbial antigens to T-cells and is strongly associated with certain immunity diseases (SpA spondyloarthropathies). In the general population, about 8% Caucasian, 4% African, 2-9% Chinese, and 0.1-0.5% Japanese have the HLA-B27 antigen. In Northern Scandinavia (Lapland), 24% of people are HLA-B27 positive while 1.8% have ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
HLA-B27 is also implicated in Reiter's syndrome, certain eye disorders, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
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