Association of Crohn's disease with HLA phenotype B44, Cw5

Genetic influence on the development of Crohn's disease (CD) is commonly accepted. However, proof of definite genetic markers is still pending. Most investigations have focused on HLA antigens, and associations with HLA B12 and HLA A2 have been reported, but the design of these retrospective studies is open to criticism. We have undertaken a consecutive study of 96 patients with CD under well-defined conditions in order to test the hypothesis that CD is associated with particular HLA antigens. Our results identify a significant association of CD with the phenotype HLA B44,Cw5. But since a major proportion of the CD patients do not bear this phenotype, other predisposing genetic factors, which have not yet been defined, may exist in addition to environmental factors.