[Cell-mediated immune-phenomenona in progressive chronic polyarthritis]

With the help of the lymphocyte transformation test 34 patients with ascertained progressive chronic polyarthritis and 20 control persons were examined. A proteoglycan fraction from normal cartilaginous tissue was used as antigen. Hereby was found: 1. The antigen-conditioned stimulation of the lymphocytes in the group with progressive chronic polyarthritis was greater than in the control persons. 2. In the formation of the transformation index the difference between the two groups could be statistically ascertained. With the help of the present examination a further proof was given that in the process of rheumatoid arthritis cellular immune phenomena play a part. However, which value cellular immune mechanisms have in the etiopathogenesis of the progressive chronic polyarthritis, cannot be answered with the results of the examinations.