title: Coexistence of HLA-B*08 and HLA-B*18 in four siblings with Lichen sclerosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lichen sclerosus (LS), is characterized by localized patches of atrophy and whitening of the skin. The cause of LS remains unknown, but genetic, hormonal, immunologic factors and autoimmune mechanisms have been incriminated. There are conflicting data regarding the association between LS and human leukocyte antigens (HLA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We have analyzed the HLA alleles of a family, in which 4 of 5 children have lichen sclerosus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HLA-B*08 and HLA-B*18 alleles were detected in children with LS, but not in a healthy sister. None of the patients had autoimmune disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our opinion, coexistence of these two alleles may play a role in the development of LS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, Samsun, Turkey. nilsenturk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nilgün
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sentürk
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Asuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Birinci
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Tayyar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cantürk
authors.forename: Belma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Durupinar
authors.forename: Ahmet Yaşar
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Turanli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D035781:Siblings
chemical_list: D015235:HLA-B Antigens