[Occurrence of HLA-antigens in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

The etiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with (HOCM) and without obstruction (HCM) is poorly understood. Controversial data have been published concerning the association of HLA-B-12-antigen with HOCM and HCM respectively. Further, HLA-D-antigen occurrence has been determined in few patients with HOCM or HCM. In 29 patients with HOCM, 38 patients with HCM, and matched healthy persons we determined the occurrence of HLA-A, B, C and DRW-antigen using the test of microcytotoxicity in lymphocytes. HLA-antigens occurred with similar frequency in patients with HOCM and HCM and in control subjects. 25% of the patients and 23% of the control subjects had HLA-B-12. Further, no difference was detected in the frequency of occurrence of HLA-antigens in patients with HOCM and in patients with HCM. The data support the view that HLA tissue typing is of no diagnostic value in identifying patients with HOCM or HCM.