[HLA histocompatibility antigens in patients with aortic valve defects]

HLA antigens A, B, C were determined in 61 patients with aortic valve disease and in 263 healthy controls. The patients were divided into two subgroups--with rheumatic fever in anamnesis (N = 24) and without (N = 37). In the whole group of patients with aortic valve disease there was a lower frequency of incidence of HLA A3 in comparison to the control group. In the subgroup with rheumatic fever in anamnesis there was a deficit of HLA A3 and a much more frequent incidence of HLA B17, in the subgroup without rheumatic fever a more frequent incidence of HLA A2, A9, A28, B15 was noted in comparison to the control group. This study shows that in 60% of patients with aortic valve disease the etiology is linked not to rheumatic fever but probably to a connective tissue disorder. A deficit of HLA A3 and presence of B17 can be a risk factor for rheumatic fever.