General paralysis of the insane associated with HLA-Aw32.
HLA-A, -B, and -C locus antigens were determined in 35 unrelated patients with general paralysis of the insane (GPI), and in 13 neurosyphilis patients without dementia. HLA-Aw32 was found more frequently (corrected p = 4.9 x 10(-2) in the GPI patients than in 1009 controls. None of the patients having neurosyphilis without dementia had HLA-Aw32. These findings indicate that genetically determined mechanisms may play a role in development of GPI. Further studies of such rare patients should be initiated to investigate whether these observations reflects a true association or whether they are due to chance. If possible other well defined groups of tertiary syphilis should also be studied.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000276:immunology*; D010291:Paresis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens