Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder with unknown etiology. Genetic and environmental factors associated with MS susceptibility. Genetic studies show an important role for human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as MS. There is controversy between the association of HLA alleles with MS susceptibility in various studies. However, with consider the high incidence of MS in Iranian population and limit information about association of HLA and MS, we analyzed HLA alleles in MS patients.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 60 MS patients and 40 normal individuals with the same ethic background and geographic area were analyzed for HLA-DRB and DQB alleles by single specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) method.

Results: HLA-DRB1*03 and DQB1*02 alleles frequencies in MS patients were greater than healthy controls. There was no significant difference in frequency of other HLA-DR alleles between the MS patients and normal individuals.

Conclusion: DRB1*03 and DQB1*02 alleles confer increased susceptibility to MS in this population. However, to determine the role of HLA in Iranian MS patients, more studies are needed.