Recurrent annular erythema associated with the anti-Ro(SS-A) antibody response has recently been reported in Orientals. The association is assumed to represent a distinct clinical entity.
Our purpose was to extend knowledge on the immunogenetic spectrum of the disease.
Sixteen anti-Ro(SS-A)-positive Japanese patients with recurrent annular erythema and Sjögren's syndrome were studied. The standard complement-dependent microcytotoxicity assay was used to type the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ, as well as the HLA-DRw52 and -DRw53 antigens.
All 16 patients were positive for HLA-DRw52 antigens as compared with 52% of control subjects (p < 0.01 relative risk 14.8). No significant deviations were noted in the phenotype frequencies for HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DQ antigens.
HLA-DRw52 is closely related to annular erythema in anti-Ro(SS-A)-positive Japanese patients with Sjögren's syndrome.