Synovial fluid in ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Twelve specimens of synovial fluid obtained from the knees of 6 patients with ankylosing spondylitis have been studied. The results have been compared with those from a group with rheumatoid disease and a second group with osteoarthrosis. In ankylosing spondylitis, the lymphocyte count and immunoglobulin levels were significantly higher than in the other two groups, suggesting an immunological basis for this disease. The parameters of disease activity in the fluid, namely, synovial polymorph counts, 5 nucleotidase, and acid phosphatase in the spondylitis group, were intermediate between those of the rheumatoid and osteoarthrosis groups.