title: The hyperviscosity syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis due to intermediate complexes formed by self-association of IgG-rheumatoid factors.
abstract: Three patients with rheumatoid arthritis and abundant circulating intermediate complexes were studied. Two of these patients presented with the hyperviscosity syndrome. All 3 patients had markedly elevated plasma and blood viscosity, and the intermediate complexes were thought to be responsible for the increased viscosity. Studies on the isolated intermediate complexes revealed that they were formed by self-association of IgG-rheumatoid factors.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013577:Syndrome; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001798:Blood Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor