Analysis of HLA antigens in Japanese patients with chronic sinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
Genetic factors likely play a role in the etiology of chronic sinusitis and this disease is often associated with diffuse panbronchiolitis, which is strongly associated with HLA B54 antigen. The purpose of this study is to examine whether genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis.


METHODS
Eighty-two Japanese patients with intractable chronic sinusitis were selected on the basis of the following criteria: 1) persistent mucous or mucopurulent nasal discharge and/or postnasal dripping for longer than 3 years and 2) opacification in bilateral maxillary sinuses and ethmoid cells in plain X-ray films.


METHODS
Both class I and class II HLA antigens were analyzed by conventional microcytotoxicity assays in these patients and 176 healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
In class I antigens, B54 antigen significantly increased in the patient group (antigen frequency = 29.3%, relative risk = 3.23, corrected P value = .037) compared with normal control group (antigen frequency = 11.4%). For class II antigens, no antigens were significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that certain genetic factors play a role in the etiology of chronic sinusitis.
Takeuchi
K
K
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.
Majima
Y
Y
Shimizu
T
T
Ukai
K
K
Sakakura
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens