HLA antigens in asbestosis.

One hundred thirty-four workers in an asbestos factory who had been in contact with asbestos for about 20 years, were typed for 22 HLA antigens of the A and B loci. In this group, 22 workers were diagnosed as asbestosis patients on the basis of chest radiography and clinical findings; the remaining 112 were without signs of asbestosis. In the group of asbestosis patients an increase of B27 antigen was observed in comparison with the group without asbestosis (27-27% and 9-82% respectively). The relative risk = 3-44 is significant at the level of p less than 0-05. These results may indicate that a genetic factor, connected with HLA locus has influence on the development of asbestosis under conditions of contact with asbestos.