A Study of HLA Antigens in Behcet's Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Fifty-two Korean patients with Behcet's syndome were typed for HLA antigens. 52 apparently healthy Korean subjects were used as controls; 42 for HLA-A, B, C and all 52 for HLA-DR typing. HLA-B5 and DRw8 presented significantly high frequencies in all patiens. According to Shimizu's classification, HLA-B5 and DRw8 were significantly increased in the complete type; B5 in the incomplete type; DR3 in the suspected-possible type. According to Lehner's classification, HLA-DR3 was significantly increased in the neurological type; B5 in the ocular type; B5 in the ocular type. We confirmed the association of HLA-B5 with the severity of Beh et's syndrome. A relation might exist between DRw8, DR3 and Behcet's syndrome.