[Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex and anti-thyroidal antibodies in Graves' disease]

The study aimed at: 1) assessing occurrence of HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C antigens in patients with Graves' disease in comparison with control group of healthy individuals; 2) determining relationship between circulating serum antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies and selected HLA complex antigens. Human leukocyte antigens A, B, and C were detected with serological technique using cytotoxicity test. Thyroidal antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies were titrated with radioimmunological solid phase technique while anti-membrane antibodies with immunoenzyme technique. The study involved 50 patients with Graves' disease and 50 healthy individuals. HLA-B8, HLA-B15, HLA-B35, and HLA-Cw3 antibodies were detected more frequently in patients with Graves' disease than in the healthy individuals. Antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies were detected in the same group in 76% and 58% of patients, respectively whereas anti-membrane antibodies in 92% of patients. Comparison of the occurrence of thyroidal antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies with the presence of HLA-B8, HLA-B35, HLA-B15, and HLA-Cw3 antigens did not show statistically significant correlation between these two parameters.