[Anti-type II collagen antibodies in collagen disease].

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we determined the incidence of serum IgG antibodies to native type II collagen in patients with collagen diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and overlap syndrome (OL). Raised serum IgG anti-type II collagen antibody levels were present in 11% of patients with RA, 30% with SLE, 44% with PSS and 42% with OL. There was, however, no correlation with clinical manifestations or other laboratory data.