[Modifications of lymphocyte HL-A antigens as a consequence of therapy in patients with manic-depressive psychosis].

In 54 (= 46.96%) of 115 patients with maniacal-depressive psychosis a HLA modification could be identified. This modification turned out to be temporary and from a serological point of view it revealed a different character. In 29 cases a loss of HLA antigens could be observed, in 3 cases there was a decrease, in 14 cases a combination of both changes, twice a polyreactivity was observed and 6 times a change of the antigen HLA-A 2 in A 28 could be determined. These serological modifications appeared after therapy with lithium as well as with various antidepressive and neuroleptic medicaments. The connection between therapy and development of HLA modification could be ensured statistically. The modifications of HLA antigens A 10 and B 7 developed after administering neuroleptic medicaments, those of HLA antigens A 9, A 11, B 12, and B 13 after therapy with antidepressive medicaments. HLA antigens B 27 and B 40 showed a relative resistance towards therapy. The significance of these findings for the possibility of mistakes in HLA typing and from the standpoint of therapy efficiency in connection with the patient's HLA phaenotype is discussed.