Histocompatibility antigens and La Crosse encephalitis.

Case, K L; West, R M; Smith, M J · J Infect Dis · 1993

case_control · Level III

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Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex antigens (HLA-ABC and -DR loci) on lymphocytes from 79 patients with La Crosse encephalitis were compared with those of 69 control subjects. Nine patients (11%) and none of the control population had HLA-B49 (P < .01, uncorrected for multiple comparisons). Of La Crosse encephalitis patients with acute-phase seizures, only 2 (7%) were positive for HLA-DR5, whereas 16 (37%) of nonseizure patients were positive for that antigen (P < .025). These findings suggest that susceptibility and complications associated with this disease may have an immunogenetic component.

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