Antibodies to intermediate filaments in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: a sequential study. Issue 10 (October 1987)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dasgupta, B; Duke, O; Kyle, V; Macfarlane, D G; Hazleman, B L; Panayi, G S
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 46:Issue 10(1987)
• Page Start: 746
• Page End: 749
• Publication Date: 1987-10
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.46.10.746
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Serum specimens from 35 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) were obtained sequentially at variable time intervals up to a year from onset of disease. These were tested for antibodies to intermediate filaments by indirect immunofluorescence using HEp2 cells as substrate. Twenty four of 35 (68%) patients' sera at onset of disease were positive at an anti-intermediate filament antibody (AIFA) titre of greater than 1/40 compared with three outs of 19 (15%) control sera. AIFA were predominantly of IgM class, and there was no significant change in AIFA titres on follow up despite clinical remission of disease.