HLA Antigens in Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome in New England

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Abstract
HLA antigens were evaluated in 27 patients with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome [MLNS] (Kawasaki disease) in the Boston [USA] area. In contrast to previous Japanese studies, no incidence of HLA-Bw22 was found. A significant increase (P < 0.002) in HLA-Bw51 was found in the patients with MLNS as compared to an appropriate control population. This is only the 2nd disease associated with HLA-B5 specificity. The observations illustrate the lack of unified genetic predisposition for a disease in 2 ethnic groups, white and Japanese. Such findings may have genetic implications regarding interhuman variation in immune responsiveness.