HLA antigens and multiple sclerosis in the Province of Ferrara, northern-Italy: a community-based study.

The association between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and DR2 HLA antigen is well known in Caucasoids. In the past few years a significant correlation has been found between DQwl and MS in North-East Scotland and in several other countries. In previous HLA studies in Italian MS patients, a lack of any association or an increased frequency of DR2 have been observed; however, the results of most Italian surveys derive from heterogeneous sample of affected individuals. This study was carried out in a homogeneous population of patients living in and originating from the province of Ferrara, Northern-Italy. Among the prevalence cases, 116, indigenous, unrelated patients, were typed for HLA-A-B, -DR and DQ antigens. The comparisons with 185 healthy individuals, originating from the same area, revealed an increased prevalence of DR2 antigen in Ferrara MS patients. This antigen does not appear to be related to the clinical variables of the disease.