The Latex fixation test in the spinal fluid and urine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The finding of an abnormal macroglobulin in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been isolated and characterized by several groups of investigators. A study was undertaken to study other biological fluids as to the presence of this abnormal globulin. Spinal fluids and urines were obtained from patients with arthritis. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) ankylosing spondylitis; (2) osteoarthritis; and (3) rheumatoid arthritis, active, untreated. The serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis gave positive latex fixation test. Latex fixation test on the spinal fluids from the three groups gave a negative latex agglutination. The urines and spinal fluids were concentrated to a known volume with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (P.V.P.). There was found an increase in the total protein bound hexoses in the three latex positive urine concentrates.