[Significant association of HLA-B8 with systemic lupus erythematosus and with specific serological markers]

Analysis of the HLA antigens of the A, B and C locus of 87 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) revealed a significant elevation for HLA-B8 of 64% as compared to 22% in a healthy control group (n = 1850) (P less than 0.000001). Owing to the known linkage disequilibrium of this genetic marker with the HLA-A1 antigen, the HLA phenotype A1, B8 was found in 55% of the SLE patients (P less than 0.000001). Moreover, a significant association of the HLA-B8 in 82% (P less than 0.025) of Ro antibody-positive SLE patients (n = 22) and in 84% (P less than 0.025) of Ha antibody-positive patients (n = 19) was striking. A more frequent occurrence of this HLA antigen could also be detected in patients with a persistent nDNA antibody elevation and in patients with manifestation of the disease before the 40th year of life as compared to patients who manifested it later. An association of the HLA-B8 antigen with a raised disease activity of SLE can be inferred.