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HLA profiles in 103 members of 4 separate kindred with multiple occurrence of SLE were compatible with the presence of a disease susceptibility factor linked to HLA or a direct effect of antigens B8, A11, and B35 on disease expression. Serum ANA was found in 52.9% of consanguineous, 56.5% of nonconsanguineous relatives of SLE probands, and 5% of controls, a finding that suggests the presence of a transmissible agent in the families. By contrast, lymphocytotoxic antibodies were not increased in relatives compared to controls.
Cleland et al. (Wed,) studied this question.