HLA B27 (Human Leucocyte Antigen B27)

The HLA-B27 Test is suggested by your healthcare practitioner to know whether your white blood cells have the HLA-B27 protein present on their surface. This is a marker that is used to evaluate if you are suffering from certain autoimmune disorders like ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis or anterior uveitis. Simply put, there are many kinds of HLAs or Human Leukocyte Antigens that can be found on the surface of the white blood cells. These antigens play an important role in identifying the cells that belong to the body and are healthy and also the cells that are foreign and can be dangerous. Upon recognising any cell as ‘foreign and dangerous, the Human Leukocyte Antigens set out to destroy it to protect your body from any harm that they could have caused. However, the HLA-B27 kind of protein (or antigen) can possibly contribute to the dysfunction of your body’s immune system. The HLA-B27 protein can lead to your immune system destroying even the healthy cells of your body and so, the presence of HLA-B27 protein on the surface of white blood cells is often associated with autoimmune disorders. Although merely the presence of the HLA-B27 protein is not a confirmation for having an autoimmune disease, it still puts the person concerned in a more vulnerable position to develop several immune-mediated health disorders like Ankylosing Spondylitis. Your doctor can suggest you to go for the HLA-B27 Test if you have any symptoms that may be related to an underlying autoimmune disease like stiffness and chronic pain in the back, neck or chest. Inflammation in eyes, urethra and joints or the appearance of skin lesions. The occurrence of HLA-B27 protein in the Indian population is not as frequent and the cases are still very few. However, among the HLA-B27 positive cases, the Indian male population is dominating. Having the presence of HLA-B27 protein can not be reversed, but it can be treated and managed well.