The link between HLA-B27 and clinical features and immunologic changes in ankylosing spondylitis

The relationship between HLA-B27 and clinical features and immunologic changes was studied in 67 cases of ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. The results showed that the onset was 5 years earlier in HLA-B27 positive than that in HLA-B27 negative AS（P＜0.05）; iridocyclitis and acute conjunctivitis were noticed in 17.2% of HLA-B27 positive patients with AS; serum level of IgG, IgA, IgM and globulin was obviously eleevated in HLA-B27 positive AS. It is suggested that the disease onset, eye involvement and enhanced humoral immune responses in AS are closely related to HLA-B27.