HLA-B27, antinuclear antibodies and drug-induced agranulocytosis.

Eight female patients with drug-induced agranulocytosis (five patients with definite seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), three patients with upper respiratory infections) were studied for the presence of HLA-B27 and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Five of eight patients were found to be HLA-B27 positive and all RA patients had ANA in their serum. The frequency of HLA-B27 and ANA was found to be significantly different from control groups. It is concluded that the occurrence of HLA-B27 and ANA was found to be significantly different from control groups. It is concluded that the occurrence of HLA-B27 in female patients with seropositive RA (especially in those with ANA) and of HLA-B27 alone in other individuals could reflect an increased risk for drug-induced agranulocytosis.