A study of HLA antigen distribution in families with atopic dermatitis.

Seventeen children presenting with atopic dermatitis were HLA typed together with their parents and siblings. A total of 89 individuals was studied. No close link between HLA antigen distribution and clinical expression of atopy was demonstrated, and 14 HLA identical but disease-free siblings were identified. An increase in the A1 B8 haplotype was observed in the families as a whole by comparison with a large control series.