Characterization of the novel HLA-B*35:08:17 allele

HLA-B*35:08:17 differs from B*35:08:01:01 by a single nucleotide change in codon 105 (CCC > CCG).

Identification of the novel HLA-B*51:367 allele in a Cord Blood Donor by next generation sequencing

The new HLA-B*51:367 differs from B*51:01:01:64 by four substitutions in exon 1 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Characterization of a new HLA-DRB1 allele: DRB1*14:172

DRB1*14:172 homologous to DRB1*14:01 has been found with a variation in 314 A > G.

Characterization of a new HLA allele: A*02:548

HLA-A*02:548 differs from A*02:01:01:01 by one nucleotide at position 367T > C resulting in histidine at codon 99.

Characterisation of a new HLA-DRB1 allele: DRB1*03:85

HLA-DRB1*03:85 differs from HLA-DRB1*03:06 by two nucleotides, position 257 A>T and position 258T>C, resulting in Valine at codon 57.

Detection of Antibodies to Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) among Women of Child-Bearing Age in the Apulia Region (South-Eastern Italy)

In this study the authors investigated the presence of serum antibodies to Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in a group of women of child-bearing age in the Apulia region (South Eastern Italy). A seroprevalence of 16.8% was observed, increasing, although non significantly, with the age of the women (10.6% in women between 19 and 25 years, 25.3% in women aging more than 35 years). The presence of antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) was significantly associated to the detection of antibodies to HHV-8. Possible mother-to-child transmission of HHV-8 as well as the outcome of fetuses or children born to HHV-8 positive mothers are still a matter of debate. This study, showing the wide diffusion of HHV-8 infection in healthy women of child-bearing age in our geographical area, highlights the urgency of studies aimed to better clarify these relevant topics.