Demonstration of Australia antigen in a rheumatologic population
Roques, C.F.; Amigues, H.; Smilovici, W.; de Boissezon, J.F.; Fourné, A.; Ruffié, R.
Revue du Rhumatisme et des Maladies Osteo-Articulaires 43(1): 11-15
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2659 PMID: 1083059 Document Number: 105650
The authors looked for Australia antigen in a population of 578 rheumatic patients, 300 of whom were polyarthritic, by electrosyneresis and complement fixation methods. Australia antigen was found in 26 patients, and anti-Australia antibodies in 33 patients. Most of these patients were suffering from rheumatoid polyarthritis--22 presented hepatic disturbance, and 28 had undergone surgical operations, blood transfusions, and repeated hospitalization. The presence of Australia antigen did not in any case appear to play a role in the development of the lesions, apart from the occurrence of signs of hepatic lesions, but appeared to be an indicator of a form of hospitalization.