HLA antigens associated with sarcoidosis

In a series of 123 sarcoidosis patients (inhabitants of Moravia), frequencies of 15 HLA-A, 31 HLA-B, and 7 HLA-C antigens have been found. (Control group consisted of 500 healthy persons from the same region.) A subgroup of 46 patients was examined in order to determine a frequency of 10 HLA-DR antigens. (Control group consisted of 146 persons.) A positive association was proved between sarcoidosis and the HLA-B8 and B13 antigens (RR = 2.8 and RR = 3.1, respectively). A frequency of B8B13 heterozygotes was highly significant (RR = 8.5). The observed antigen genotype frequencies may be explained by the hypothesis of 2 HLA-linked disposing genes.