A case-control study of HLA alleles in Brazilian patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a neuromucocutaneous disease that manifests by the triad of recurrent orofacial edema (frequently as cheilitis granulomatosa), relapsing facial paralysis and plicated tongue. The cause of MRS remains unknown, but genetic predisposal and a relationship with inflammatory bowel disease are suspected. The objective of this research was to compare the frequency of class I and II HLA alleles in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MRS with those of a healthy control group. We conduct a case-control study and typed of HLA A, B, C, DR, and DQ using molecular techniques.