Profile of autoantibodies in the serum of patients with tuberculosis, klebsiella and other Gram-negative infections

Autoantibody profiles were examined in the sera of untreated patients with tuberculosis, and those with klebsiella septicaemia, and klebsiella and E. coli urinary tract infections. Rheumatoid factors of the IgM, IgA and IgG isotypes, antinuclear antibodies and antibodies to poly(ADP-ribose) were all frequently detected (generally 15-40%). In contrast, antibodies to the extractable nuclear antigens and to the organ specific antigens were unusual (generally <10%). In comparison, in a group of lupus patients IgM rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibodies, antibodies to poly(ADP-ribose) and antibodies to the extractable nuclear antigens were more frequently found, but IgA and IgG rheumatoid factors and antibodies to the organ-specific antigens were present in much the same frequency.