Rheumatoid factor in the elderly. New methodology.

Many authors have shown a progressive incidence of auto-antibodies in the elderly as age increases. Among the auto-antibodies found, the highest incidence concerns the Rheumatoid Factor (RF). Using an original enzyme-immunoassay of RF (RF-EIA), we were surprised to find a low incidence of RF in a sample of 100 healthy persons aged from 65 to 98 years (8%).

[Hematologic manifestations of thymomas].

The hematologic manifestations during thymomas are dominated by erythroblastopenia. Though, the other series can be affected and red series can present other troubles. The authors report two cases, one with erythroblasto-penia-hypogammaglobulinemia, the other with polycythemia, and a review of the literature attempt to make the point on the subject.