[The level of R proteins in reactive arthritis]

A total of 46 patients with reactive arthritides and 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined, as compared with 20 normal persons, for the blood serum content of the products of catabolic breakdown of cell receptors--R proteins (according to inhibition of the hemagglutination reaction between human red blood cells and anti-R-serum) and for conventional parameters of phagocyte function of leukocytes. The content of R proteins in patients with reactive arthritis and RA was found to be increased, and the phagocytic activity was discovered to be lowered. The changes in the parameters indicated depended on the disease entity and the disease course. The possible pathophysiological importance of changes in the level of R proteins in arthritides is discussed.