IgMrheumatoid factor incongenital syphilis: associations withclinical andlaboratory findings

SUMMARY IgMrheumatoid factor (RF), measured bymeans ofan ELISA, was detected in92%ofinfants with congenital syphilis. Elevated levels werefoundtocorrelate withliver andrenal involvement aswellas theextentofthedisease (P< 005). Inaddition, levels ofcirculating immunecomplexes wereclosely related totheRF concentration (P<0-001). Following treatment oftheinfants bothRF levels and VDRL titres declined ata similar rate(P<0-001).Thesefindings indicated a closerelationship between thedisease processandIgMRF levels. Itispostulated thatIgMRF may addtoimmune complex deposition andexacerbate tissue damageincongenital syphilis.