Objective: In recent years we have treated 4 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who developed gold-induced enterocolitis, a well-recognized, although rare, complication of chrysotherapy. The aim of the present study was to seek any genetic predisposition for this complication.
Methods: HLA DNA typing was done on fresh white blood cells from the 4 patients.
Results: Three of the 4 patients (75%) exhibited the DRB1*0404 allele, whereas the prevalence of this allele among the Ashkenazi Jewish population of RA patients without colitis was 9.2% and 10.2% in 2 different studies.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the DRB1*0404 may be associated with risk for the development of gold-induced enterocolitis in this population and suggest that HLA DNA typing should be considered in Jews who may be undergoing chrysotherapy.