Ulcerative colitis in female siblings with an identical human leukocyte antigen haplotype (A24, Bw52, DR52 and DQw1).

Two female siblings with ulcerative colitis are reported. Both the 30-year-old elder sister and the 28-year-old younger sister developed bloody stools and diarrhea; ulcerative colitis was diagnosed by endoscopic and histologic examination of the colon. Their maternal aunt also suffered from the disease. Human leukocyte antigen analysis revealed an identical haplotype for the sisters (A24, Bw52, DR2 and DQw1), while the aunt had A24, Bw52 and DR2. The haplotypes of Japanese patients with familial ulcerative colitis are reviewed, and the role of human leukocyte antigens in this disease is discussed.