HLA in alopecia areata.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) characteristics of Turkish alopecia areata patients, and the correlation of the HLA profile with age of onset, severity and duration of the disease, presence of ophiasis, and family history.


METHODS
A total of 88 patients with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis were compared with 100 healthy controls. HLA typing was performed by the Terasaki microlymphocytotoxicity method.


RESULTS
The frequency of HLA-A1, HLA-B62(15), HLA-DQ1, and HLA-DQ3 was significantly higher in patients than in controls. HLA-DR16 was significantly less common in patients than in the control group, and we concluded that this allele might have a protective role for alopecia areata. Juvenile onset and severe involvement were related with HLA-Cw7 and HLA-DR1, respectively. The HLA profile was independent of the existence of long-standing disease, presence of ophiasis, and a positive family history.


CONCLUSIONS
In HLA-alopecia areata association, ethnic differences may play a role.
Kavak
A
A
Departments of Dermatology and Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. ays_kavak@excite.com
Baykal
C
C
Ozarmağan
G
G
Akar
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000483:Alleles; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014421:Turkey
D006680:HLA Antigens