Rheumatoid Arthritis Terminating in Heavy-Chain Disease

Abstract

The eighth known case of heavy-chain disease is reported. Immunochemical studies of abnormal Fc fragment gamma-G3 protein and detailed morphologic, chromosomal, and electron microscopic observations are included. This patient, a 51-year-old negro man, is unique in that symptoms of heavy-chain disease began 9 years after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Pathologic studies failed to demonstrate malignant lymphoma. Possible pathogenetic relationships between monoclonal paraproteinemias and rheumatoid arthritis are discussed.