Laboratory diagnosis of rheumatoid diseases

Postgraduate Medicine
C A Horwitz

Abstract

The diagnosis of most collagen diseases requires particular clinical findings. Rheumatoid factor assays are tests commonly used to detect seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Latex tests are highly sensitive for rheumatoid factors but relatively nonspecific for rheumatoid arthritis, while sheep cell agglutination tests are moderately insensitive for rheumatoid factors but highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis. These tests are not helpful in following the course of the disease, however, since titers remain stable. Serial observations of elevated C-reactive protein levels or ESR may be more helpful in this regard. Specific antibodies have been identified for some collagen diseases, notably the mixed connective tissue disease syndrome, aiding in differential diagnosis.

References

Aug 1, 1979·Annals of Internal Medicine·M Martinez-LavinE M Tan
Sep 1, 1977·Arthritis and Rheumatism·E M TanE V Barnett
Jan 1, 1977·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·J F WolfeG C Sharp
May 1, 1975·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·M A Alspaugh, E M Tan
Oct 1, 1975·Annals of Internal Medicine·D D NotmanE M Tan
Jan 1, 1976·Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology·M Reichlin, M Mattioli
Nov 1, 1961·The American Journal of Medicine·J M SINGER
Feb 1, 1964·Arthritis and Rheumatism·B S BLUMBERGN J ZVAIFLER
May 1, 1948·Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine·H M ROSE, C RAGAN

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 1, 1980·Postgraduate Medicine·P C Ward
Nov 1, 1981·Orthopedics·J McCaffrey, T C Demos

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation : the Official Publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
G HalwachsM Wilders-Truschnig
Discovery Medicine
Javier CondeOreste Gualillo
Scottish Medical Journal
U IndraccoloS R Indraccolo
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved