Serologic Tests in Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract

Tests for rheumatoid factor (latex fixation and sheep cell agglutination) are positive in most rheumatoid arthritic patients; however, other diseases also can give positive results. In systemic lupus erythematosus, the indirect fluorescent antibody test is positive in patients with clinical disease even when the LE cell preparation is negative. Antistreptolysin-O titers remain the most commonly used procedure for rheumatic fever.