Studies of the incidence and significance of anti‐gamma globulin factors in the aging

Abstract

Abstract The anti‐gamma globulin factors which were found in 30 per cent of an aging population reacted poorly with rabbit gamma globulin and anti‐D coats. They did not contain agglutinators against Gm (a), (b), or Inv. (a). Their reactivity was like that of anti‐gamma globulin factors most frequently encountered in non‐rheumatoid disorders. Past age 70, distribution of these factors was approximately equal in those with and without evident chronic disease. However, in the group between 50 and 70, there was a much higher incidence of anti‐gamma globulin factors in subjects with various unrelated chronic conditions. The presence of these factors could not be correlated with a high incidence of hemagglutinating antibodies to thyroglobulin, an increased number of weakly positive VDRL slide tests, and an upward trend in mean gamma globulin levels found in this aging group.