Latex-Fixation Test in Rheumatoid Arthritis

THE serologic reactions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been reviewed in recent publications.1 2 3 Until 1956 the sensitized erythrocyte was the preferred tool for demonstrating the agglutinationactivating factor, commonly referred to as the rheumatoid factor. This test, using erythrocytes from various sources as carriers and indicators, requires heat inactivation of the test serum to destroy the hemolytic activity of serum complement. Furthermore, the removal of heterophil antibodies by absorption is essential in all tests that utilize sheep cells.2 In 1956 Singer and Plotz4 introduced the latexfixation test (F-II L.P. test).¶ The erythrocytes of the preceding serologic technics were replaced by . . .