BACKGROUND: Our observation of familial cases of fixed drug eruption (FDE) prompted us to consider a genetic predisposition to this disease. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether there is any association between FDE and any of the major histocompatibility complex class I or II alleles. METHODS: HLA class I and II typing was performed by lymphocytotoxicity assay in 36 unrelated patients with FDE. RESULTS: Significantly higher (p < 0.0001) frequencies of the B22 and Cw1 antigens were found in the 36 patients with FDE. CONCLUSION: Our data are the first to suggest a genetic predisposition to FDE.
BACKGROUND: Our observation of familial cases of fixed drug eruption (FDE) prompted us to consider a genetic predisposition to this disease. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether there is any association between FDE and any of the major histocompatibility complex class I or II alleles. METHODS: HLA class I and II typing was performed by lymphocytotoxicity assay in 36 unrelated patients with FDE. RESULTS: Significantly higher (p < 0.0001) frequencies of the B22 and Cw1 antigens were found in the 36 patients with FDE. CONCLUSION: Our data are the first to suggest a genetic predisposition to FDE.