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A new serological reaction in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and/or giant cell (temporal) arteritis: deposition of complement C4 and C3 components on rat kidney structures detected by indirect immunofluorescence

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Summary

Using indirect immunofluorescence deposition of complement C4 and C3 components to rat kidney medullary structures was demonstrated. This serological reaction (C4/C3-IFT) is regularly obtained with fresh sera of patients suffering from active polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and/or giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA). Sera of normal controls and of steroid-treated PMR and/or GCA patients in clinical remission have a negative C4/C3-IFT reaction. A positive conversion of the test in steroidtreated patients indicates enhanced disease activity. Because of its technical simplicity, C4/C3-IFT can be routinely used first, as a reliable serological marker in the primary diagnosis of PMR and/or GCA and second, as a sensitive criterion of disease activity in these patients. C4/C3-IFT reactivity is, however, not specific for GCA and/or PMR. Various systemic inflammatory diseases may have a positive reaction as well (e.g., certain viral and bacterial infections, malignant tumors, vasculitides, inflammatory joint diseases of different etiology). Recent experimental findings suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients' sera mediates an activation of the classical complement pathway resulting in a deposition of C4 and C3 complement components to certain rat kidney structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University Clinic, Hugstetter Strasse 55, D-7800, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    P. Vaith, G. von Stackelberg & H. H. Peter

  2. Städtische Rheumaklinik, Langgasse 38–40, D-6200, Wiesbaden, Federal Republic of Germany

    D. Maas

Authors
  1. P. Vaith
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  2. D. Maas
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  3. G. von Stackelberg
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  4. H. H. Peter
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Vaith, P., Maas, D., von Stackelberg, G. et al. A new serological reaction in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and/or giant cell (temporal) arteritis: deposition of complement C4 and C3 components on rat kidney structures detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Rheumatol Int 6, 255–261 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541316

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541316

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