HLA haplotypes and susceptibility to Graves' disease.

Graves' disease is a polygenic disease in which the HLA cluster could play a role. The purpose of our study is to identify HLA haplotypes in a family with closely related susceptibility to Graves' disease and foresee the risk of disease in the youngest daughter. The family studied had included the father (47 years), mother (46 years) and 3 daughters (18, 17 and 13 years). The mother and 2 eldest daughters were affected by Graves' disease. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ were performed with standard microlymphotoxicity techniques. A mother's role in passing susceptibility to Graves' disease to daughters is undisputed; it seems to be due to the B35 HLA allele. Also, the third daughter (at 15 years) has an HLA B35 allele, and actually has an incipient humoral hyperthyroidism.