[Pathogenetic study of complete and partial hydatidiform mole by HLA (author's transl)]

Twenty four complete and 15 partial moles, and the lymphocytes from the parents were analyzed for human lymphocyte antigen (HLA-A and HLA-B specificities), and karyotyping was done in each molar tissue by the direct method. Twelve of the 24 complete moles expressed homozygous A and/or B specificities identical to those of the father. No cases expressed A or B specificities derived from the maternal side. All had a 46, XX karyotype. On the other hand, in 6 of the 15 partial moles, the antigen specificities were heterozygous for A locus and 10 of the 15 expressed A and/or B specificities derived selectively from the maternal side. In chromosome studies, 8 of the 15 had a 69,XX karyotype, 5 had a 46,XX karyotype and 2 was impossible of analysis. These results show that complete moles are mostly androgenetic in origin but partial moles are not; that is, pathogenesis distinguishes complete from partial moles.