HLA antigens and otosclerosis. A possible new genetic factor.

The pattern of HLA antigens was studied in 68 Greek patients with otosclerosis with and without a family history of otosclerosis and in the members of seven families in which the disease occurs, and was compared with that of 400 unrelated control subjects. Fifty-six specific HLA antiserum samples were used to determine 27 HLA-A and B antigens with the two-stage standard National Institutes of Health assay. The results were modified as follows: There was a highly significant increase of the antigens HLA-A11, Bw35, and B14 only in the patients with family history. These findings, together with the observations from the family studies and the information of population epidemiology and HL distribution frequencies, indicate the possible role of HLA antigens in otosclerosis and corroborate the view that genetic factors are also involved.