Erythema multiforme is associated to HLA-Aw33 and DRw53

Erythema multiforme is an acute eruption of the skin and mucous membranes of various aetiologies. Forty-one unrelated patients were HLA typed for 53 specificities of the HLA-A, B, C, DR and DQ series. Frequencies of Aw33 and DRw53 were significantly increased: Aw33, 17.0% in patients vs 2.8% in controls (corrected p = 0.01, relative risk = 7.2); DRw53, 70.7% in patients vs 30.5% in controls (corrected p = 0.0005, relative risk = 5.5).