HLA studies in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with Kaposi's sarcoma

To investigate the possible contribution of genetic susceptibility to Kaposi's sarcoma associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS-KS), 21 patients were typed for HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens. Significantly increased frequencies of HLA-Aw23, and HLA-Bw49 antigens were observed in the Caucasian AIDS-KS group. In this same group, the frequencies of HLA-DR5 and HLA-Bw44 antigens were increased at the P less than 0.1 level. Increased frequencies of HLA-A29 and HLA-Cw4 antigens and a decreased frequency of HLA-B8 antigen were also noted, but with P greater than 0.1, in the Caucasian AIDS-KS group.