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We evaluated the diagnostic value of measuring C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in blood and in synovial fluid for the detection of inflammatory articular diseases in 154 patients. High concentrations of CRP in blood were found in microcrystalin arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and Horton's disease. Our results show a good correlation between CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate for ankylosing spondylitis (p less than 0.01), systemic lupus erythematosus (p less than 0.01), rheumatoid arthritis (p less than 0.05), polymyalgia rheumatica and Horton's disease (p less than 0.05). The CRP measurement in blood did not separate seropositive versus seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus versus rheumatoid arthritis and treated versus non-treated rheumatoid arthritis. There was a good correlation between CRP concentration in blood and in synovial fluid but the concentration was lower in synovial fluid than in blood (p less than 0.01). Then, the CRP measurement in synovial fluid does not have a higher diagnostic value than in blood.

165 sera of patients suffering from kala-azar were collected before and after treatment (N-methyl glucamine: Glucantime ) and analysed for anti-leishmania antibodies by the counter immunoelectrophoresis and fluorescent antibody techniques. Serum immunoglobulins G, A, M and Complement C4 and C3 were studied as well; and C reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear, anti-mitochondrial and anti-smooth muscle antibodies were investigated. Before treatment, counter immuno-electrophoresis was positive in 63.88% and immunofluorescent antibody test in 94.6%. The analysis of immunoglobulins has shown an increase of IgG in nearly all cases, an increase of IgM in 78.26% of sera tested. Little change has been noted with IgA. C reactive protein has been found in 87.67% and rheumatoid factor in 76.4% of sera examined. In 4 patients, anti-smooth muscle antibodies have been found at a relatively weak dilution. A decrease of complement C4 has been observed whereas complement C3 was slightly increased. After treatment (2 cures of Glucantime ) counter immunoelectrophoresis was positive in 23.07% of cases whereas immunofluorescent antibody test was still positive in 84.62%. IgG remained increases in the whole cases and IgM in only 43,48%. C reactive protein and rheumatoid factor have been found in 14.81% and 50% of cases respectively. Complement C4 remained low whereas complement C3 showed normal mean value. The relationship between the serological disturbances observed and the prognosis were discussed.