Levels of serum immunoglobulins in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulins (gammaG gammaA gammaM were studied in 35 cases with sero-positive and sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis and in subjects with osteo-arthrosis and a positive latex test, by means of immuno-electrophoresis and the radial immuno-diffusion method. Raised gammaA levels were found in most of the sero-positive and sero-negative rheumatoid patients, but an increase of gammaG was found only in sero-positive rheumatoid patients. The gammaM values were normal. There was no correlation between the immuno-globulin levels and the clinical course and duration of the disease. The alterations observed are not specific for rheumatoid arthritis as similar patterns occur in other diseases. The pathogenetic significance of the increase in various gamma fractions is still to be clarified. The increased tendency to respond to immunological stimuli and to the development of autoimmune and delayed hypersensitivity phenomena characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis may be responsible for the changes observed.