DIFFERENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HLA ALLELES IN 2 FORMS OF GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME

Guillain-Barre syndrome in northern China occurs in two forms: acute i nflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). AMAN and AIDP have an immunologic basis, and some cases are associated with preceding Campylobacter-jejuni infection. Th e distribution of allelic forms of the histocompatibility genes HLA-DP B1, DQB1, DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, and DRB5 was examined by DNA-based technol ogy in 34 control, 12 ATDP, and 31 AMAN cases. In AIDP patients, the D RB11301 allele showed a significant increase (18% vs. 0%, P = .055). In AMAN patients, alleles DRB1x1301-03 and DRB11312, taken collective ly, were increased (19% vs. 0%, P = .009), but by itself, the DRB1130 1 allele was not increased, as in AIDP patients. With a larger number of persons, more definitive statements will be possible; however, the differential distribution of DR13 allelic forms between AIDP and AMAN cases may suggest that there are different immunologic mechanisms oper ating at the molecular level of these diseases.