Abstract
The presence of 9 HLA-A and 14 HLA-B specificities was determined in 83 patients with paracoccidioidomycosis. The finding of a higher than normal incidence of HLA-B40 (χ2=10·8; corrected P<0·026) supports the hypothesis that genetic factors may play a role in susceptibility to paracoccidioidomycosis. The risk of developing paracoccidioidomycosis is 4·3 times higher for individuals carrying HLA-B40 than for those lacking this antigen.