The occurrence of rheumatoid factor and other abnormalities in families of patients with agammaglobulinemia.

The incidence of rheumatoid agglutinating activity (RAA) in parents and siblings of patients with acquired agammsglobulinemia was found to be considerably higher than the incidence of RAA in the normal population. Elevated γ-globulin levels were also occasionally present, as well as alterations in the β2A and β2M proteins in such relatives. Laboratory findings suggestive of lupus erythematosus were observed in two instances. The high incidence of serum γ-globulin abnormalities in relatives of patients with idiopathic “acquired” agammaglobulinemia suggests that this is a genetically determined disorder. Le incidentia de rheumatoide activitate agglutinante in parentes e fraternos de patientes con acquirite agammaglobulinemia se revelava como considerabilemente plus alte que in le population normal. Elevate nivellos de globulina gamma esseva etiam presente in certe casos, si ben como alterationes in le proteinas β2A e β2M. Constatationes laboratorial que poteva suggerer lupus erythematose esseva facite in duo casos. Le alte incidentia de anormalitates de globulina gamma in consanguineos de patientes con idiopathic “acquirite” agammaglobulinemia permitte le supposition que iste disordine es genticamente determinate.