Interestingly, however, HLA-DQB1*03:03 was the classical allele, with MAF > 0.5%, most associated with a self-reported history of rheumatic fever risk in a study by 23&Me (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.55, P = 0.017)13, with an effect consistent in size and direction (combined OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.24–1.69, P = 4.05 × 10−6; see Supplementary Fig. S6b). Here, HLA-DQB1 is linked to rheumatic fever.