Several associations between HLA type and specific disease entities have been established in recent years. In laboratory animals, the immunologic reaction to synthetic antigens is regulated by the immune response genes of the major histocompatibility complex and is, therefore, genetically controlled.1 The present study was undertaken to determine whether, in humans, there is an association between HLA antigens and allergic contact dermatitis, as has been demonstrated in some animals. We used the "para" group compounds because they have a particular stereochemical composition and, hence, a common pathogenetic pathway for sensitization.
Patients and Methods
The conditions of 40 patients (28 men and 12 women) with allergic contact dermatitis from the para group compounds and positive reactions on epicutaneous testing (using the criteria of the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group) were studied. We used the following para compounds for testing: aniline, benzocaine, paraphenylenediamine, parahydroxybenzoates, promethazine hydrochloride, and sulfamide. Seventeen patients have