Association between HLA-B7 and allergic reactions to insulin in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Forty-four cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with cutaneous allergic reactions to insulin were typed for HLA-A and -B antigens. HLA-B7, which commonly is negatively associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, showed a positive association with insulin allergy. A second antigen, HLA-Bw21 may also be positively associated with local insulin allergy. These data were discussed in relation to heterogeneity of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and to the existence of B7-associated immune response genes for allergic-immunoreactivity to insulin.