Rheumatoid factor in acute bacterial endocarditis

Sera from 55 parenteral drug abusers with endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus were assayed for the presence and titer of rheumatoid factor. Thirteen (24%) of the 55 patients with endocarditis had sera positive for rheumatoid factor at one point or another in their courses; only 2 (7%) of 30 noninfected drug users were found to be positive. It appeared that more severe cases, as evidenced by duration of fever after initiation of antibiotic therapy, were more likely to develop rheumatoid factor.

Effect of citrate and aminotriazole on matrical plates induced in hepatic microbodies

Feeding of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), clofibrate and dimethrin induces formation of matrical plates in heptaic microbodies. Administration of sodium citrate prevents formation of matrical plates in rats fed ASA, but not in rats treated with clofibrate or dimethrin. Propionate has a similar effect on rats fed ASA but not those fed clofibrate. Feeding of aminotriazole prevents formation of matrical plates in rats fed ASA without inhibiting the proliferation of microbodies. Sodium citrate and aminotriazole and feeding decrease also the activity of hepatic catalase in rats fed ASA.