HLA ANTIGENS IN MICROSCOPIC POLYARTERITIS (MP) WITH RENAL INVOLVEMENT

Serological KLA-A, B, C, DR and DQ typing was performed in 23 patients with microscopic polyarteritis and renal involvement and in 405 healt hy individuals, all of Greek origin. An increased frequency of HLA-A26 (26% vs. 11.3 %, x(2)=4.423, p<0.05) and HLA-A11 (26 % vs. 9.6%, x(2) =6.825, P<0.02), and a decreased frequency of HLA-DRS (4.3% vs. 24.1%, x(2)=5.935, p<0.025) were found. Five out of six patients, who did no t respond to treatment possessed HLA-DR5. These observations suggest t hat HLA gene products may influence the clinical expression, as well a s the outcome of this disease.