IgM-class rheumatoid factor interference in the solid-phase radioimmunoassay of rubella-specific IgM antibodies.
The interference of IgM-class rheumatoid factor (RF) in the solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) of rubella virus IgM antibodies was studied. Acute rubella infections did not significantly activate RF. False-positive rubella antibody results were obtained, however, when patients with raised RF levels were tested. If a low rubella IgG antibody titre was present, a high level of RF was required to cause a false-positive IgM result; conversely, in sera with high IgG titres, only a low level of RF was required for interference. Although the false-positive IgM titres obtained were generally low, thet did show a positive correlation to both RF levels and rubella IgG titres. False-positive results were successfully avoided by removing the RF by absorption with heat-aggregated human gamma globulin. The absorption procedure did not affect true rubella IgM antibody titres.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology*; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D005719:gamma-Globulins; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor