[Serodiagnosis of rheumatic disorders]

For the serological diagnostics of the diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (A-streptococci) and secondary diseases (rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis) in the first place the anti-streptolysin reaction is at disposal. In the judgment age is to be taken into consideration and the proportion of the inhibitor in the serum is to be removed by absorption with dextran sulphate. Reliable evidence is to be expected only by the course of the titre. If possible, the antistreptolysin reaction should be supplemented by a second reaction, for which purpose the anti-desoxyribonuclease B-reaction is to be recommended. For supporting the diagnostics of the rheumatoid arthritis at least 2 reactions should be performed, i. e. a haemagglutination test (e. g. after Podliachouk-Harboe) and a particle agglutination test (latex fixation reaction). By means of them the rheumatoid factors (above all antibodies of the IgM-class against gamma-globulin) are proved. The haemagglutinations connect a high specifity with a more insignificant sensitivity, in the particle agglutinations the reverse is the case. Apart from the serological tests mentioned here other proved reactions are mentioned. Besides, data on the valuation of the results and their diagnostic importance are in this paper.