HLA antigens in cases of giant cell arteritis.

HLA tissue-type antigen determination for A-, B- and C-antigens in 88 patients suffering from giant cell arteritis of the temporal artery showed no significant deviations as compared to a control material of 3164 blood donors. A weak indication of association with antigen HLA-B8 appeared to be of interest due to a corresponding indication in previous investigation. The patients were a mixed hospital material, consisting of cases of clinical temporal arteritis and patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. There was an overrepresentation of women (77%). Familial occurrence was demonstrated sporadically (3 pairs of siblings).