[Mixed connective tissue disease. Clinical studies on a new group of collagenoses]

The clinical features of 6 patients with symptoms of various connective tissue diseases and rheumatoid arthritis are reported. The frequency of symptoms corresponded to that of the syndrome, which Sharp et al. (1971) termed mixed connective tissue disease. The antibodies to an extractable nuclear antigen are a characteristic feature. Moreover, one may detect a speckled staining pattern by indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, moderate immunoglobulin deposits were observed in the skin and kidneys of our patients. The pathomechanism of these deposits is discussed.