HLA antigens and atopic dermatitis.

The frequency of HLA antigens was determined in 27 unrelated children and 44 of their parents, compared to 326 healthy controls. HLA-BW35 frequency is significantly increased in the patients (37 instead of 11.6%; Pc less than 0.01) and in the parents (34 instead of 11.6%; Pc less than 0.05). However HLA segregation was not disturbed in 23 families with 33 patients and 24 healthy siblings. These data confirm the hereditary character of atopy but does not allow the exclusion of the hypothesis of a linkage between a HLA-B gene and an Ir gene conditioning abnormal humoral response to several allergens.