title: [The effect of treatment on circulating immune complexes in rheumatoid arthritis (author's transl)].
abstract: Immune complexes were demonstrated by leucocyte phagocytosis assay in 37 of 55 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. After treatment with gold salts, penicillamine, alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine, immunosuppressive agents or levamisole a substantial fall or elimination of demonstrable circulating immune complexes occurred. In-vitro studies revealed that gold salts in therapeutic concentrations inhibited the phagocytosis of immune complexes, while other drugs - penicillamine, levamisole and all anti-inflammatory agents including corticosteroids - lack this effect. The reduction in circulating immune complexes under basic therapy may be due to a beneficial effect of these agents on the disease process itself. This test may, therefore, be of value in assessing the efficacy of drug treatment.
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006046:Gold / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007978:Levamisole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010587:Phagocytosis; D008625:Tiopronin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007978:Levamisole; D006046:Gold; D008625:Tiopronin; D010396:Penicillamine
vernacular_title: Der Effekt der Therapie auf Immunkomplexe bei der chronischen Polyarthritis