Circinate erosive balanitis and HL-A 27

Area of Science:

• Immunogenetics
• Dermatology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Circinate erosive balanitis is a clinical condition affecting the glans penis.
• Reiter's disease, also known as reactive arthritis, can present with balanitis as a symptom.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HL-A) phenotype in patients with circinate erosive balanitis.
• To determine if there is an association between specific HL-A antigens and the presence of balanitis, with or without other signs of Reiter's disease.

Main Methods:

• Determined the HL-A phenotype of 17 patients diagnosed with circinate erosive balanitis.
• Categorized patients into two groups: those with balanitis alone (9 patients) and those with balanitis and other signs of Reiter's disease (8 patients).
• Compared the frequency of HL-A antigens in patients to a Finnish control population.

Main Results:

• The HL-A 27 antigen was present in 15 out of 17 patients (88%) with circinate erosive balanitis.
• One patient in each group (balanitis alone and balanitis with Reiter's disease) did not have the HL-A 27 antigen.
• The frequency of other histocompatibility antigens did not significantly differ from the control population.

Conclusions:

• There is a strong association between the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HL-A) type 27 and circinate erosive balanitis.
• HL-A 27 may be a significant genetic marker for individuals predisposed to developing circinate erosive balanitis, potentially as part of or independent of Reiter's disease.