title: The absence of antibodies to malaria and human immunodeficiency virus, and the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen as diagnostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid factor is of limited value in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in West Africa. Consequent upon previous findings, we have studied the role of the absence of antibodies to malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as diagnostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis in West Africa. We have found a significant association (p < 0.001) between RA and titre of HBsAg, but only between RA and malaria (p < 0.05) when sera with low malaria antibodies were studied. No correlation between either HBsAg or malaria and rheumatoid factor was found and no RA patient was either HIV-1 or HIV-2 positive.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adebajo
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hazleman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D015415:Biomarkers; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor