title: Clinical and molecular findings in multiple sclerosis patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The clinical and molecular findings in three patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and additional type 1 diabetes mellitus are described. These patients all presented with a severe and progressive disease course of MS. Molecular testing for HLA class II genes demonstrated the presence of the haplotype DRB1*0401, DQB1*0302 in all patients. This haplotype is closely linked to type 1 diabetes mellitus and is increased among patients with the primary progressive subtype of MS. We conclude that the immunogenetic background in patients with diabetes mellitus may determine the severity and clinical course of MS in these individuals. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck School of Medicine, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck, 23538, Germany
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Wandinger
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trillenberg
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klüter
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wessel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirchner