HLA AND SINGAPOREAN CHINESE MYASTHENIA-GRAVIS

Chinese Singaporean myasthenia gravis (MG) patients are associated with three HLA haplotypes: Cw1 B46 DRB1*0901 DQB1*0303 DQA1*03, DRB1*14DRB3*0202 DQB1*0503 DQA1*0101 and DRB1*1202 DRB3*0301 DQB1*0301 DQA1*0601. The B46 haplotype was associated with the total group of MG patients but in particular with those with younger onset, low anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AchR) titres, with only ocular lesions and with normal thymuses. The DRB1*14 haplotype was associated with thymic hyperplasia, younger onset patients, with high anti-AchR titres and with generalised MG. The DRB1*1202 haplotype was associated with thymoma, older onset patients, ocular lesions, and mid to high anti-AchR titres.