THE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN DOGS .2. RHEUMATOID FACTORS AND ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODIES

One criteria in the diagnosis of rheumatoid polyarthritis is the presence of Rheumatoid Factors in the serum. The Waaler-Rose-Test and the Latexfixationtest were taken from human medicine and used in canine medicine. The latex test was slightly modified by sensibilisating the latex particles with canine immunoglobuline G (IgG) instead of human IgG. Both systems have not shown convincing results. An ELISA test with canine IgG as antigen was therefore developed. The newly developed ELISA test system for detection of IgM-Rheumatoid Factor compared to the preceding two tests was less arbitrary and found a better application in routine diagnostics. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are proteins which are imperative in the diagnostic procedures of immune mediated diseases nowadays. The immunofluorescence techniques can be used as an appropriate screening test in Veterinary Medicine.