Human leukocyte antigen in hydatidiform mole.

OBJECTIVE

To find any possible association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) as a genetic marker and the development of hydatidiform mole (HM).

METHOD: The lymphocyte microtoxicity technique was used to study the HLA antigens in 3 groups: 18 women with hydatidiform mole and their husbands (study group), 300 normal women (first control group), and 20 normal pregnant women and their husbands (second control group).

RESULT: Hydatidiform mole is more frequent in women having HLA A1. The disease is more common in couples with partial compatibility of the B locus.

CONCLUSION

HM occurs more frequently in women with certain HLA antigens and when the husband and wife have partial compatibility at the B locus.