RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Depressed superoxide radical generation by neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and neutropenia: correlation with neutrophil reactive IgG. JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO Ann Rheum Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism SP 51 OP 54 DO 10.1136/ard.46.1.51 VO 46 IS 1 A1 Davis, P A1 Johnston, C A1 Bertouch, J A1 Starkebaum, G YR 1987 UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/46/1/51.abstract AB Neutrophils of 31 patients with neutropenia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been studied to assess their ability to generate superoxide radicals (O-2) on activation. Seventeen patients had classical Felty's syndrome and 14 presumed chrysotherapy related neutropenia. Results were compared with those from age and sex matched controls with uncomplicated RA and from normal subjects. Neutrophils from patients with Felty's syndrome had a significantly reduced ability to generate superoxide radicals when compared with the other three groups. In addition, serum levels of IgG polymorphonuclear leucocyte binding activity (IgG PBA) were also raised in the group with Felty's syndrome. A statistically significant inverse correlation existed between O-2 generation and IgG PBA. It is concluded that neutrophil reactive IgG may have an important role in both quantitative and qualitative defects in neutrophil function in Felty's syndrome.