HLA-DRB1*0301 and DQA1*0501 in RA

Auranofin is an oral gold preparation used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). During treatment, proteinuria has been reported in approximately 3% of patients.1 In a few cases in which renal biopsies were performed, a membranous nephropathy was shown to have developed.2 Several antirheumatic agents have been reported to induce renal manifestations or drug induced lupus reactions, or both, in patients with RA. In these subjects a genetic predisposition for HLA has previously been suggested.3-6 To determine whether similar genetic factors might be operative in auranofin induced nephropathy, we analysed the HLA-DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 alleles using a polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we investigated if the renal side effects were associated with serological findings in accordance with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thus indicating the development of a drug induced lupus reaction. Six patients (three female, three male) who …