HLA antigens in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients in Israel.

HLA Class I antigens were determined in the 49 subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) patients. In analyzing the Arabs and the Jews separately, there is a decrease in HLA-A2 in the Jewish patients (X2 = 3.96; P less than 0.05), a significant increase in the HLA-A29 in the Arab SSPE patients (X2 = 6.29; P less than 0.02), and a slight, insignificant increase of HLA-A29 in the Jewish patients. The present study supports previous findings of Kurent's and needs following studies in larger groups of Arab SSPE patients.