An islet cell antibody negative form of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDD) associated with HLA antigens A9 and Bw16.

One hundred and sixty-six unrelated children and adolescents having growth-onset, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDD) were studied for pancreatic-cytoplasmic islet cell antibodies (ICA) at various times from the diagnosis of the disease. A strong association between HLA antigens A9 and Bw16 and an absence of ICA early in the course of disease was seen. On the other hand B8/Dw3 or B15/Dw4 antigens were not significantly associated with the occurrence of ICA although both these antigens are greatly increased among pediatric IDD patients in northern Finland. The finding of the association of the HLA antigens A9 and Bw16 with ICA-negativity contributes to the evidence for the heterogeneity in the genetic susceptibility to IDD.