HLA antigens and alkaptonuria.

Thirty members of Family C, which included cases of alkaptonuria and ochronosis, were investigated by means of HLA typing and homogentistic acid determination. The antigen HLA B27 was found in one of the two members of the first generation, in all eight members of the second generation, and in 15 of the 21 members of the third generation. Eight of 10 subjects suffering from alkaptonuria, with or without ochronotic arthropathy or spondylosis, had B27. The gene for B27 is not the gene determining homogentisic acid oxydase synthesis but this study suggests that it may be associated or linked to it.