Abstract
Among 67 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with gold salts (aurothiopropanol sulphonate) a significant correlation (p less than 10(-2)) was noted between gold toxic reactions, whatever their type, and the HLA antigens A1, B8, Cw7, and DR3. Forty-two patients were genotyped, and a correlation was observed between gold side effects and the haplotype A1 Cw7 B8 DR3 (p less than 10(-2), RR = 8.0). In addition 3 out of 4 cases of renal intolerance to D-penicillamine were observed in patients possessing the Cw7 B8 DR3 haplotype.