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Background: The process of antigen presentation to immune cells is an undeniable contributor to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Different studies have indicated several factors that are related to autoimmunity. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs) are among such factors, which have a key role in autoimmunity because of their involvement in antigen presentation process. Methods: Relevant English language literature was searched and retrieved from Google Scholar search engine and PubMed database (1996-2018). The following keywords were used: "Human leukocyte antigen", "Behcet’s syndrome", "Rheumatoid arthritis", "Systemic lupus erythematosus", "Type 1 diabetes", "Celiac Disease" and "Autoimmunity". Results: There is a strong association between HLA alleles and autoimmune diseases. For instance, HLA-B alleles and Behcet’s syndrome are strongly correlated, and systemic lupus erythematosus and Type 1 diabetes are related to HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1, respectively. Conclusion: Association between numerous HLA alleles and autoimmune diseases may justify and rationalize their use as biomarkers as well as possible diagnostic laboratory parameters.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder. Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that is presumed to be associated with ITP and therapeutic response of patients. To evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on the platelet count of patients with ITP. To this end, we analyzed studies conducted on the association between H. pylori infection and response to therapy in patients with ITP in Western Asia, with a particular focus on the Middle East region. A systematic search of databases (PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Central) and Google Scholar search engine results was conducted up until January 2020. The keywords included in the search were Helicobacter pylori and/or H. pylori, ITP and/or immune thrombocytopenia. Seven studies comprising a total of 228 H. pyloriinfected patients (193 with successful eradication) were included in this study. The association between H. pylori eradication and ITP was expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The findings showed that patients who received eradication treatment for H. pylori infection had significantly higher ORs (OR, 8.83; 95% CI, 2.03-38.35; P=0.004) than those in the non-eradicated group. Our results indicate a significant therapeutic effect of H. pylori eradication on the platelet count of patients with chronic ITP. Given the inherent limitations of this study, including the small number of patients, further studies with more patients are recommended.