HLA-B27
Medical abbreviation · Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology
| Stands for | Human leukocyte antigen B27 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
HLA-B27 stands for Human leukocyte antigen B27, a musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviation.
Genetic marker on white cells strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthritides, reactive arthritis and acute anterior uveitis. Most people with AS carry it, but only a small fraction of carriers ever develop disease.
Example: Inflammatory back pain with uveitis; HLA-B27 positive supports axial spondyloarthritis.
Usage notes
Prevalence varies by ancestry, from about 8 percent of white Americans to much lower in many other groups. A positive test alone does not diagnose disease. The association with AS, reported in 1973, was one of the first strong links between an HLA type and a disease. Pronounced "H-L-A B twenty-seven".
Related abbreviations
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.