[Anti-RANA antibodies and rheumatoid arthritis]

Anti RANA antibodies were determined by the method of indirect immunofluorescence in 51 patients with the classic resp. definitive form of rheumatoid arthritis (ARA) and in 19 healthy persons. Anti RANA antibodies were found in 92% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 16% of the control group. The reactive nuclear antigen is present in human B lymphocyte tissue cell cultures transformed by the EPSTEIN-BARR virus--Raji cells. The anti RANA antibody test is very suitable for use in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.