This narrative review examines how specific HLA polymorphisms affect health outcomes for people with HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B. The analysis looks at drug prescribing patterns and vaccine responses across these conditions.
The study highlights that HLA-B*57:01-guided prescribing is the clearest way to prevent adverse reactions to abacavir. It also notes strong associations between HLA genes and hypersensitivity to dapsone or liver injury from flucloxacillin.
For vaccines, the evidence shows that HLA shapes clinically relevant host-response heterogeneity for HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B. This means genetic differences can change how well a vaccine works for an individual.
However, the review warns that individual-level clinical translation is often limited for infection and vaccine associations. Large effect sizes do not always justify routine screening for these genetic markers in everyday practice.
Readers should understand that while these genetic links are scientifically strong, they do not always change treatment decisions. The main takeaway is that HLA genetics play a major role in drug safety and vaccine success, but more research is needed to apply this at the individual level.