[Histocompatibility-antigens in hay fever (author's transl)]

HL-A antigens have been determined in 110 not related Caucasian patients from southwest Germany suffering from hay fever and in 353 blood donors from the same area. Gene-frequencies and haplotype-frequencies of these 2 groups were compared, deviations within various specific allergy groups were investigated taking into consideration associated diseases. Patients suffering from hay fever showed a significant increase in frequency of W 19 and a significant decrease in HL-A8. Increase of W 19 was most evident in persons who became sick before the 16th year of age and in those who showed asthmatic symptoms in addition to those of hay fever. HL-A8 is significantly decreased only in persons who became sick after the 16th year of age. Found differences in haplotype-frequencies need further confirmation in larger studies. A relationship between changes of HL-A frequencies in hay fever due to special pollen allergies could not be determined.