HLA-B27 antigen

Alternative names:

human lymphocyte antigen B27

Normal values:

HLA-B27 is found in 5 to 7% of Caucasian people without autoimmune disease.

What abnormal results mean:

A positive test indicates a greater than average risk for developing:

• ankylosing spondylitis
• Reiter's syndrome
• sacroiliitis (inflammation of the sacroiliac joint)

In the presence of suggestive clinical findings, a positive HLA-B27 test may confirm the diagnosis.