The Presence of Anti-gamma Globulin Factors in Sera of Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Thirteen percent of 245 patients with chronic active pulmonary tuberculosis gave positive latex fixation tests, demonstrating the presence of anti-gamma globulin factors. These factors were shown to be present in the macroglobulin portion of the serum by analytical ultracentrifuga-tion, DEAE cellulose column chromatography, density gradient ultra-centrifugation, and treatment with mercaptoethanol. They were unrelated to the clinical status of the disease, to the globulin content, or to hepatic involvement. The factors demonstrated were identical to rheumotold factors.