HLA antigens in a family with both parents and several siblings affected by Graves' disease

A family with autoimmune thyroid disease is described. Four members had Graves' disease and 3 had diffuse goitres. Both parents (second cousins) carry the HLA haplotype: HLA Aw24, Bw39(w6), Cw-, DR3, MT2. Only females with this haplotype show thyroid symptoms. These findings emphasize the involvement of HLA linked genes in susceptibility to Graves' disease.