Susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis is independent of the Bw4 and Bw6 epitopes of HLA-B27 alleles.

We have characterized HLA-B27 alleles in a sample of the population from the Azores (n=46) with the aim of investigating the contribution of different subtypes to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study was carried out using PCR-SSOP and in some samples genomic sequencing was conducted. Some significant new finding have arisen from this study.

[Secondary syphilis of gastric location].

We present a case of syphilitic gastropathy manifested by an ulcero-infiltrative lesion in the gastric antrum in a 25 year old man. We obtained a clinical endoscopic cure with specific anti-luetic therapy. The morphologic characteristics, which are usual in this type of disease, are revised and the diagnostic criterion discussed.