[HL-A and chronic juvenile polyarthritis]

The authors determined the HLA groups in 1000 blood donors, in 62 subjects suffering from ankylosing spondylarthritis, and in 32 subjects suffering from chronic juvenile polyarthritis. The results confirm those of other authors as regards the occurrence of W27 antigen in ankylosing spondylarthritis. The examination of the subjects suffering from chronic juvenile polyarthritis made it possible to subdivide this population into 4 groups: (1) Chronic juvenile polyarthritis evolving towards ankylosing spondylarthritis; (2) Chronic juvenile polyarthritis with sacroilitis; (3) Chronic juvenile polyarthritis without sacroiliac involvement; and (4) Rhematoid juvenile polyarthritis. They showed that the presence of W27 antigen was very high in groups (1) and (2) and very low in groups (3) and (4). Determination of the presence of W27 antigen makes it possible to place the patient in one of these groups and the future will show whether this classification is of any therapeutic consequence.