HLA ANTIGENS IN TURKISH RACE WITH RHEUMATIC HEART-DISEASE

Abstract

Background. Rheumatic valvular disease has been reported to be associated with HLA antigens. To determine whether genetic factors could be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), we analyzed the distribution of HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DR antigens in Turkish patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease.