[Familial sarcoidosis]

Familial sarcoidosis is a pathologic association rarely described in the Spanish literature. We present a study of a family in which two members were clinically affected (Löfgren's syndrome) existing subclinical pathological signs in the rest. Based on this association the epidemiological, clinical and pathogenic mechanisms of familial sarcoidosis are reviewed with special attention to the incidence of this association in literature (in the Spanish literature in particular) and in the study of histocompatibility antigens in these patients. To conclude, the importance of investigating in a directed manner, the existence of familial sarcoidosis is emphasized since it offers an exceptional opportunity for the study of the pathogenic aspects (genetic and environmental) of this disease.