Rheumatoid Arthritis and Collagen Antibodies

Abstract
By using the complement Fixation test, antibodies against collagen were examined. Pronase-solubilized insoluble collagen served as antigen (20°, 24 hours, collagen : enzyme ratio 10 : 1). Of 79 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, the presence of collagen antibodies was demonstrated in 8 cases. 56 patients with degenerative joint disease served as the control group, in which collagen antibodies were detected in only one single patient.