Human leukocyte antigen class II genotype in patients with recurrent fetal miscarriage who are positive for anticardiolipin antibody

Objective: To elucidate the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genotypes and patients with recurrent fetal miscarriage who are positive for anticardiolipin antibody. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Institutional practice at the outpatient clinic for infertility, Niigata University Medical Hospital. Patient(s): Patients with recurrent fetal miscarriage who were positive for anticardiolipin antibody and normal fertile women. Intervention(s): Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral mononuclear cells. Main Outcome Measure(s): Human leukocyte antigen class II genotype was determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Result(s): The frequencies of DRB1*0403 and DRB1*0410 were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. The frequency of DRB1*04 also was significantly higher in the patient group. As for HLA-DQ genotype, the frequency of HLA-DQB1*0501 was significantly lower in the patient group. Conclusion: Human leukocyte antigen systems appear to be involved in the genesis of antiphospholipid syndrome. (Fertil Steril(R) 1998;70:919-23. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).