[The HLA antigen system in patients with pneumoconiosis]

The antigenic HLA spectra, loci A, B and C, were explored in 102 patients suffering from pneumoconiosis of workers exposed to dust in machine building. Significant frequency differences were discovered in some antigens and their complexes (AI; A I B 8; Bw35 Cw4) between the patients and control group subjects (112 healthy persons). The patients with uncomplicated pneumoconiosis and coniotuberculosis manifested appreciable differences in the antigenic HLA spectra. The authors propose an algorithm of predicting risk at pneumoconiosis as well as risk at coniotuberculosis, resting on the results of the typing of the antigenic HLA spectra.