[Differential-diagnostic and prognostic significance of antinuclear factors]

On the patients of the consulting point for rheumatic diseases of the policlinical institute of the Karl-Marx-University Leipzig analytic examinations of the course for the existence of the LE-cell factor were carried out. We used the loose-body-test after van Soeren as screening test, controlled positive test results for several times under the same experimental conditions and supplemented it by the LE-cell test after Zinkham and Conley or later on by the immune fluorescence test. All patients with positive proof of LE-cells were examined for reference signs concerning a visceral lupus erythematodes, in which cases at the beginning of the examination nobody fulfilled the criteria of the diagnosis of a visceral lupus erythematodes. We tested the constancy of the proof of the LE-cells as well as the diagnosis in the course of longer periods. Typical changes of a visceral lupus erythematodes were seen only rarely. In 2 patients the joint processes were concomitant symptoms of a chronic aggressive hepatitis. In the p.c.p. at stage II to IV with positive LE-cell factors in the first place must be thought of a proof of LE-cell factors induced by drugs. In these cases gold is of practical importance. We could confirm that in contrast to the typical active visceral lupus erythematodes in p.c.p. the antinuclear factors have only a weakly positive result and are above all inconstant.