Abstract

This study chanlcterizes the HLA class I and class II antigens in a group of patients with vitiligo and a control group, both of Dutch descent. Earlier reports had shown a significant positive association with DR4 and a significant negative association with DR3. We found that, after correction for the broad antigens studied, only Cw7 and DR6 were significantly associated with vitiligo. The significant positive association of DR6 with vitiligo is interesting since vitiligo has an autoimmune component in its pathogenesis and DR6 may be a marker for high immune responsiveness.