Second, we evaluate whether the human leukocyte antigen allele DRB1*15:01, a strong LL susceptibility factor in modern populations, also predisposed medieval Europeans to the disease.
These data confirm the positive association of HLA-DR2 (DRB1*16) with leprosy per se, and the protector effect of DRB1*04 against lepromatous leprosy in Brazilian patients.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2 alleles (DRB1*1501 and DRB1*1502) have been found to be strongly associated with mycobacterial disease, especially the more severe forms such as lepromatous leprosy and multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis.