Logistic regression analysis identified amino acid position 7 in the G-BETA domain of HLA-DRB1 as strongly associated with HAM/TSP (P = 9.52 × 10−10); individuals homozygous for leucine had an associated increased risk of HAM/TSP (odds ratio, 9.57), and proline was protective (odds ratio, 0.65). The gene discussed is HLA-DRB1; the disease is tropical spastic paraparesis.