Abstract
Summary
1. The hemaggutination test for rheumatoid arthritis is modified by the selective absorption of non-specific factors. The details of this modification are described.
2. Of 39 cases with active peripheral rheumatoid arthritis with x-ray evidence of joint changes, 35 were positive by this test.
3. All cases of inactive peripheral rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis without peripheral joint involvement and psoriatic arthritis tested were negative.
4. In presumptive cases of early rheumatoid arthritis without x-ray evidence of joint changes, the test was negative.
5. In 67 control cases, including a variety of non-rheumatoid arthropathies, the test was negative except in two cases of infectious hepatitis.
6. The modified test was positive in 90% of the proven cases of active peripheral rheumatoid arthritis tested; the Rose test in 61%; the streptococcus agglutination test in 58%. In all cases in which the modified test was negative, the Rose test and the streptococcus agglutination test were also negative.
The authors express their thanks to Dr. R. Schuman, Miss E. C. Arrowsmith, and Mr. O. Vasquez of the Clinical Laboratory Service for technical assistance.
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