HLA antigens, nasal polyps and asthma.

HLA typing has been performed on a selected series of 29 patients with nasal polyps, with or without asthma. Despite the small series there was a significant incease in the haplotype AI/B8 in patients with both nasal polyps and asthma. No association was found in those with polyps alone. However, those with both conditions, who were positive for AI/B8, had more severe polyp disease. Three out of 4 patients with nasal polyps, asthma and sensitivity to aspirin were positive for AI/B8. In patients with nasal polyps, tissue typing sensitivity to aspirin were positive for AI/B8. In patients with nasal polyps, tissue typing might be of use in predicting both those who are most at risk of developing asthma, and also those who are most likely to have severe polyp disease. The association of AI/B8 with severe polyp disease and asthma, may imply that abnormalities of immune response are likely to be associated with the pathogenesis of both conditions.