[Cross-reacting HLA-B alleles as genetic markers of HLA-B27 negative ankylosing spondylitis].

15 east Austrian patients (EUC) with HLA-B27-negative ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were tissue-typed for HLA-B-antigens. HLA-B-alleles of the B27-CREG (B7, B13, Bw22, B40) were found in 14/15 patients (= 93,3%; RR = 37,8; Chi2 = 23,21; p less than 0.05) of this group. We may postulate a common partial-antigen for AS, carried by HLA-alleles belonging to the B27-CREG. This partial-antigen may either react in a direct pathway with the unknown pathogenic agent of AS or represent a marker for the "disease-susceptibility genes" of AS.