[Effect of gold on lymphocyte stimulation by influenza A in chronic polyarthritis]. / Goldwirkung auf die Lymphozytenstimulation durch Influenza A bei chronischer Polyarthritis.

In vitro stimulation with influenza-A antigens of the peripheral lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher than that in those from healthy controls. Stimulation was performed without autologous serum, is dependent on the monocyte function and correlates with disease activity. Gold compounds can inhibit monocyte function and so the lymphocyte stimulation by influenza-A antigens. Cortico-steroids do not do this. Under gold compound treatment, lymphocyte stimulation was markedly reduced in about 70% of cases and was correlated with clinical success.

[Demonstration of increased influenza-A-antibody levels in the serum of patients with chronic polyarthritis]. / Nachweis von erhöhten Influenza-A-Antikörperspiegeln im Serum von Patienten mit chronischer Polyarthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis show increased levels of anti-influenza-A antibodies in their sera compared to healthy controls and patients with other inflammatory rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis). These antibody levels are dependent on the activity of rheumatoid arthritis.