CYTOLOGIC STUDIES ON RHEUMATIC FEVER

Abstract

There was no obvious correlation between the amt. of synovial fluid and the severity of arthritis [in 28 patients]; the no. of cells per cu. mm. was 800-47,000 and the total no. contained in the exudates tended to vary directly with the stage and severity of arthritis and the age of the patient. Supravital stains revealed no cells similar to those previously described in rheumatic granulomata. There was an early predominance of polymorphonuclcar neutrophils, with a few monocytes and undifferentiated young connective tissue cells; later there were numerous clasmatocytes containing debris and degenerating cells. Rheumatic pleural and pericardial exudates contained cells similar to those of the joints but with the addition of a few mesothelial elements. Because non-rheumatic exudates were similar in microscopic content, no specific character could be assigned to exudates in rheumatic fever.