HLA-A, -B, -C and -D antigens in male patients with myasthenia gravis

HLA-A, -B, -C and -D antigens were determined in 54 male Myasthenia Gravis patients. A significant increase of the B8 antigen frequency was found among patients with an onset of the disease before the age of 35. No significant increase was found among the D antigens. In a combined male and female material with an early age at onset, thymic hyperplasia was correlated to the presence of HLA-B8.