The Poller Screw Technique: A Method of Fine-Tuning the Reduction in Locked Nailing.

Intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice for diaphyseal fractures in long bones. However, nailing of long bone fractures at the metaphyseodiaphyseal junction is technically difficult and can cause malalignment because of the mismatch in the diameter of the bone. One of the most common and recently described methods of correcting deformity during nailing is the poller screw technique. We describe a modified technique to correct malreduced fractures with the nail in situ, which we have used successfully in 3 patients.

Normalization of blood clotting characteristics using prothrombin complex concentrate, fibrinogen and FXIII in an albumin based fluid: experimental studies in thromboelastometry.

BACKGROUND: Colloid fluids supplemented with adequate combinations of coagulation factor concentrates with the capability to restore coagulation could be a desirable future treatment component in massive transfusion. METHODS: Starting from a coagulation factor and blood cell-free albumin solution we added Prothrombin Complex Concentrate, Fibrinogen Concentrate and Factor XIII in different combinations and concentrations to analyze their properties to restore thromboelastometry parameters without the use of plasma. Further analysis under the presence of platelets was performed for comparability to whole blood conditions. RESULTS: Albumin solutions enriched with Fibrinogen Concentrate, Factor XIII and Prothrombin Complex Concentrate at optimized concentrations show restoring coagulation potential. Prothrombin Complex Concentrate showed sufficient thrombin formation for inducing fibrinogen polymerization. The combination of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate and Fibrinogen Concentrate led to the formation of a stable in vitro fibrin clot. Fibrinogen and Factor XIII showed excellent capacity to improve fibrin clot firmness expressed as Amplitude at 10 min and Maximal Clot Firmness. Fibrinogen alone, or in combination with Factor XIII, was able to restore normal Amplitude at 10 min and Maximal Clot Firmness values. In the presence of platelets, the thromboelastometry surrogate parameter for thrombin generation (Clotting Time) improves and normalizes when compared to whole blood. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of coagulation factor concentrates suspended in albumin solutions can restore thromboelastometry parameters in the absence of plasma. This kind of artificial colloid fluids with coagulation-restoring characteristics might offer new treatment alternatives for massive transfusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Study registered at the institutional ethic committee "Institut de Recerca, Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, with protocol number IIBSP-CFC-2013-165.

Spatially-resolved Brillouin spectroscopy reveals biomechanical abnormalities in mild to advanced keratoconus in vivo.

Mounting evidence connects the biomechanical properties of tissues to the development of eye diseases such as keratoconus, a disease in which the cornea thins and bulges into a conical shape. However, measuring biomechanical changes in vivo with sufficient sensitivity for disease detection has proven challenging. Here, we demonstrate the diagnostic potential of Brillouin light-scattering microscopy, a modality that measures longitudinal mechanical modulus in tissues with high measurement sensitivity and spatial resolution. We have performed a study of 85 human subjects (93 eyes), consisting of 47 healthy volunteers and 38 keratoconus patients at differing stages of disease, ranging from stage I to stage IV. The Brillouin data in vivo reveal increasing biomechanical inhomogeneity in the cornea with keratoconus progression and biomechanical asymmetry between the left and right eyes at the onset of keratoconus. The receiver operating characteristic analysis of the stage-I patient data indicates that mean Brillouin shift of the cone performs better than corneal thickness and maximum curvature respectively. In conjunction with morphological patterns, Brillouin microscopy may add value for diagnosis of keratoconus and potentially for screening subjects at risk of complications prior to laser eye surgeries.

Does temporary external fixation and staged protocol for closed fractures lead to bacterial contamination of the surgical site and associated complications? - A prospective trial.

INTRODUCTION: Temporary external fixation is a viable option for numerous conditions and fixations in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. If the external fixator is left in place it is necessary to disinfect it prior to surgery, yet the subsequent risk for bacterial contamination of the surgical site originating from the external fixator remains unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study, samples were taken at the time of definitive osteosynthesis to assess bacterial contamination of the surgical site and the external fixator in twenty consecutive patients treated with temporary external fixation for closed fractures from October 2016 until March 2017. RESULTS: Twenty external fixators of twenty patients with complete sampling and a mean follow-up of seven months (range: 3-14) were available for analysis. Ten out of 120 cultures of the surgical site (8.3%) were positive for bacterial growth in a total of seven patients (35%). Pathogen's detected were Propionibacterium acnes (60%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (30%). No contamination of the external fixator was detected. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the presented perioperative management to decontaminate external fixators allows for a safe definitive osteosynthesis in a staged protocol without increasing bacterial contamination of the surgical site. It is safe to leave the external fixator in place for definitive osteosynthesis.

Topography-guided surface ablation for forme fruste keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of customized surface ablation in cases of forme fruste keratoconus. DESIGN: Prospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven eyes of 8 contact lens-intolerant patients with forme fruste keratoconus treated at the Institute of Refractive and Ophthalmic Surgery and the University Eye Clinic Zurich. INTERVENTION: Topography-guided customized surface ablation by means of a scanning spot excimer laser. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity, refraction, quality of vision (ghosting), corneal topography including the Zernike parameter Z3. RESULTS: Statistically significant reduction of manifest refractive error, corneal irregularity, and ghosting. The spherical equivalent was reduced by -2.8+/-0.62 diopters (D) (P = 0.0007), the cylinder by 1.34 +/- 0.18 D (P = 0.015), Z3 was reduced by 41% (P<0.001), and all patients had less ghosting compared to their preoperative status. No eye lost > or =1 lines in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity; however, 7 of 11 eyes gained > or = 1 line. CONCLUSION: Topography-guided surface ablation is a promising option to rehabilitate vision in contact lens-intolerant patients with forme fruste keratoconus.

Four corneal presbyopia corrections: simulations of optical consequences on retinal image quality.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possibility of multifocal or aspherical treatment of the cornea with optical ray tracing. SETTING: Institute for Refractive and Ophthalmic Surgery, Zurich, Switzerland. METHODS: The optical consequences of 4 corneal shapes-global optimum (GO) for curvature and asphericity, central steep island (CSI), decentered steep island (DSI), and centered steep annulus (CSA)-for presbyopia correction were analyzed using a modified Liou-Brennan eye model and ray tracing with a commercial optic design software (Zemax, Zemax Development Corp.). The ocular optical configuration for far vision was a point light source at a distance of 5 m, 1 degree up, and a pupil diameter of 5.0 mm and for near vision, 0.4 m distance, 1 degree up, and a pupil diameter of 2.5 mm. The curvature radius (R) of the cornea and its asphericity (Q) were used as operands to optimize (simultaneously for near and far vision) the quality of the retinal image described by means of the minimum spot diameter or the root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront error. RESULTS: Starting from an emmetropic eye optimized for R and Q, the RMS wavefront error in the retina was 0.07 microm (far) and 1.42 microm (near). The GO resulted in a wavefront error of 1.42 microm (far) and 0.52 microm (near); improvement of near vision using reading glasses is possible. The CSI yielded 0.91 microm (far) and 0.13 microm (near); spectacles did not improve far or near vision. The DSI and CSA had significantly worse results for near and far vision. CONCLUSIONS: Of the options studied, GO and CSI seemed the most promising alternatives for corneal presbyopia correction. Although reading glasses can improve near vision in GO, reading glasses did not improve near vision in CSI-treated eyes. The CSI treatment is critically dependent on centration and a reverse treatment is difficult to achieve.

Q-factor customized ablation profile for the correction of myopic astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of the Q-factor customized aspheric ablation profile with the wavefront-guided customized ablation pattern for the correction of myopic astigmatism. SETTING: Institute for Refractive and Ophthalmic Surgery, Zurich, Switzerland. METHODS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled in a controlled study in which the nondominant eye was treated with the Q-factor customized profile (custom-Q study group) and the dominant eye was treated with wavefront-guided customized ablation (control group). Preoperative and 1-month postoperative high-contrast visual acuity, low-contrast visual acuity, and glare visual acuity, as well as aberrometry and asphericity of the cornea, were compared between the 2 groups. All eyes received laser in situ keratomileusis surgery, and the laser treatment was accomplished with the Wavelight Eye-Q 400 Hz excimer laser. RESULTS: For corrections up to -9 diopters (D) of myopia, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups regarding any visual or optical parameter except coma-like aberrations (3rd Zernike order), where the wavefront-guided group was significantly better 1 month after surgery (P = .002). For corrections up to -5 D (spherical equivalent), the Q-factor optimized treated eyes had a significantly smaller shift toward oblate cornea: DeltaQ15 = 0.25 in Q-factor customized versus DeltaQ15 = 0.38 in wavefront-guided treatment (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding safety and refractive efficacy, custom-Q ablation profiles were clinically equivalent to wavefront-guided profiles in corrections of myopia up to -9 D and astigmatism up to 2.5 D. Corneal asphericity was less impaired by the custom-Q treatment up to -5 D of myopia.

Dynamics of the Developing Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assessed by Stereology, Allometry, Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Analysis.

The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a widely used model for the study of angiogenesis, tumour growth, as well as drug efficacy. In spite of this, little is known about the developmental alteration from its appearance to the time of hatching. In the current study the CAM has been studied by classical stereology and allometry. Expression levels of selected angiogenesis-related molecules were estimated by RT-PCR and cell dynamics assessed by proliferation and apoptosis assays. Absolute CAM volume increased from a low of 0.47 ± 0.11 cm3 at embryonic day 8 (E8) to a high of 2.05 ± 0.27 cm3 at E18, and then decreased to 1.6 ± 0.47 cm3 at E20. On allometric analysis, three growth phases were identifiable. Between E8-13 (phase I), the CAM grew fastest; moderately in phase II (E13-18) but was regressing in phase III (E18-20). The chorion, the mesenchyme and the allantoic layers grew fastest in phase I, but moderately in phase II. The mesenchyme grew slowly in phase III while the chorion and allantois were regressing. Chorionic cell volume increased fastest in phase I and was regressing in phase III. Chorionic capillaries grew steadily in phase I and II but regressed in phase III. Both the chorion and the allantois grew by intrinsic cell proliferation as well as recruitment of cells from the mesenchyme. Cell proliferation was prominent in the allantois and chorion early during development, declined after E17 and apoptosis started mainly in the chorion from E14. VEGFR2 expression peaked at E11 and declined steadily towards E20, VEGF peaked at E13 and E20 while HIF 1α had a peak at E11 and E20. Studies targeting CAM growth and angiogenesis need to take these growth phases into consideration.

Customized Corneal Cross-linking: One-Year Results.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of customized corneal cross-linking (CXL) with standard CXL. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized comparative clinical study. METHODS: In a prospective study at the Institut für Refraktive und Ophthalmo-Chirurgie (IROC), Zurich, Switzerland, 40 eyes of 40 patients with documented progressive primary keratoconus were treated with customized CXL (n = 20) or standard CXL (n = 20) and followed for 1 year. Customized irradiation patterns had an energy fluence of 9 mW/cm(2) and total energy levels ranging from 5.4 J/cm(2) up to 10 J/cm(2) and were centered on the maximum of the posterior float. The control group received homogenous irradiation with a fluence of 9 mW/cm(2) and a total energy of 5.4 J/cm(2). Scheimpflug tomographies, endothelium cell count, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) were compared preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Pachymetry and ΔKmax showed significant changes 1 year postoperatively within each group. Epithelial healing time, ΔKmax, and regularization index (RI) were significantly better in the customized CXL group. Two out of 19 eyes (11%) in the standard group but 7 out of 19 eyes (37%) in the customized CXL group showed a flattening of 2 or more diopters (P = .03). The RI was 5.2 ± 2.7 D in the customized group vs 4.1 ± 3.1 D in the control group (P = .03). Statistically significant correlations between RI and preoperative Kmax, preoperative pachymetry, and preoperative posterior float were found only in the customized group. CONCLUSIONS: Customized CXL seems to be as safe as standard CXL with stronger flattening in Kmax and RI, and a faster epithelial healing period.

Superficial corneal crosslinking during laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety of superficial corneal crosslinking after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Institut für Refraktive und Ophthalmo-Chirurgie, Zurich, Switzerland. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Eyes with an ectasia risk score of 2 or higher were treated with standard LASIK (90 µm flap) for myopia correction, after which a rapid corneal crosslinking was performed in the interface (riboflavin 0.5% for 2 minutes, 9 mW/cm(2) for 5 minutes) (Group 1). The follow-up was up to 1 year. The prevalence of complications was statistically compared with that in a group of eyes matched regarding age, sex, and attempted refractive correction that were treated with standard LASIK only (Group 2). RESULTS: One month postoperatively, 5 eyes in Group 1 lost 1 line of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) compared with 1 eye in Group 2 (P < .05). One year postoperatively, all eyes regained their preoperative CDVA, indicating a complication rate of less than 5%. The refractive success was identical in both groups. Early postoperative complications such as erosions (16%), diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) stage 1 (38%), and DLK stage 2 (5%) were statistically significantly more frequent after superficial corneal crosslinking, leading to a statistically significantly reduced uncorrected distance visual acuity at 1 month (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on 1-year results, superficial corneal crosslinking might be considered a safe adjunct to LASIK, with a delayed visual rehabilitation and a higher prevalence of transient side effects. It is not proved whether superficial corneal crosslinking can prevent iatrogenic keratectasia. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Riboflavin/ultraviolet a crosslinking of the paracentral cornea.

PURPOSE: The depth of corneal crosslinking (CXL) does not seem homogeneous within the treatment area but shows a reduction toward the periphery of the cornea. This study was undertaken to investigate this reduction effect and to look for possible solutions. METHODS: Ten corneas were investigated by means of an optical coherence tomography system (SS-100; Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) 1 month after standard CXL (epithelium off, 0.1% riboflavin for 30 minutes, ultraviolet A radiation 365 nm, 3 mW/cm). The depth of the demarcation line was measured as a function of the radial distance from the apex. These curves were compared with a theoretical curve derived from a standard model of photopolymerization. RESULTS: The CXL depth 3 mm away from the center decreases on average to 65% of the central depth (range: 52%-78%). Polymerization theory predicts this decay, however, underestimates the effect. CONCLUSIONS: The intended depth of CXL using current light sources is achieved only within the central area of the cornea. To provide CXL to the peripheral cornea, the ultraviolet beam either should have an improved intensity profile or may have to be decentered.

Flattening of the cornea after collagen crosslinking for keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To identify preoperative parameters that may predict flattening of the keratoconic cornea after collagen crosslinking (CXL). SETTING: Institut für Refraktive und Ophthalmo-Chirurgie (IROC), Zurich, Switzerland. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Patients with verified progressive primary keratectasia received standard corneal CXL. Factors such as corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam) were used to follow the evolution from preoperatively to 12 months after CXL. Statistical analysis included U tests and Spearman rank correlation tests to detect risk factors for flattening of the keratoconus. RESULTS: The study enrolled 151 eyes of 151 patients; more than 80% completed the 12-month follow-up. The flattening rate (flattening of the maximum curvature >1.00 diopter [D]) was 37.7%. A preoperative maximum keratometry (K) reading of more than 54.00 D was identified as the only significant risk factor for this effect (odds ratio, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.51). A restriction to corneas with a maximum K value greater than 54.00 D would have resulted in a significant flattening in 51% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant flattening occurred during 1 year after CXL in more than 50% of cases when the preoperative maximum K reading was more than 54.00 D. None of the other preoperative parameters evaluated (eg, age, sex, diagnosis, CDVA, corneal shape factors) had a statistically significant impact on corneal flattening after CXL.

Complication and failure rates after corneal crosslinking.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the complication rate of corneal crosslinking (CXL) for primary keratectasia and to develop recommendations for avoiding complications. SETTING: Institut für Refraktive und Ophthalmo-Chirurgie, Zurich, Switzerland. METHODS: In a prospective study, eyes with verified progressive keratectasia had standard CXL. Preoperative and 6- and 12-month postoperative examinations included corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), slitlamp evaluation, applanation tonometry, and Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam). Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and the Mann-Whitney U test to detect risk factors for complications. RESULTS: The study evaluated 117 eyes of 99 patients; approximately 90% completed the 12-month follow-up. The complication rate (percentage of eyes losing 2 or more Snellen lines) was 2.9% (95% confidence interval, 0.6%-8.5%). The failure rate of CXL (percentage of eyes with continued progression) was 7.6%. Age older than 35 years and a preoperative CDVA better than 20/25 were identified as significant risk factors for complications. A high preoperative maximum keratometry (K) reading was a significant risk factor for failure. Sterile infiltrates were seen in 7.6% of eyes and central stromal scars, in 2.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that changing the inclusion criteria may significantly reduce the complications and failures of CXL. A preoperative maximum K reading less than 58.00 diopters may reduce the failure rate to less than 3%, and restricting patient age to younger than 35 years may reduce the complication rate to 1%.

Scheimpflug imaging of corneas after collagen cross-linking.

PURPOSE: To compare geometrical shape factors of keratoconus corneas after cross-linking (CXL) by means of Scheimpflug imaging with those of untreated fellow eyes. SETTING: Institut für Refraktive und Ophthalmo-Chirurgie, Zürich, Switzerland. METHODS: Scheimpflug imaging of the anterior segments was performed with the Pentacam (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) in 21 patients with progressive keratectasia before and after CXL. Only 1 eye per patient was treated with corneal cross-linking using the riboflavin/UV-A approach, the fellow eye serving as control. The following corneal parameters and their postoperative evolution during 1 year after treatment have been evaluated: minimal curvature radius and its location, thickness at the thinnest point, location of the thinnest point, anterior and posterior elevation, conoid asphericity constants of the anterior and posterior surface, and 7 keratoconus indices. Statistical comparison was performed by means of the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: None of the treated eyes showed topographic progression in contrast to the untreated group where 8 eyes experienced significant progression. Minimal curvature radius increased significantly after 1 year compared with preoperative (6.14-6.21 mm), whereas in the untreated fellow eye, it significantly decreased (6.94-6.86 mm). Minimal corneal thickness was significantly reduced after treatment (P < 0.002 at 12 months). The cornea showed an evolution toward a more regular shape as indicated by a significant reduction in 4 of 7 keratoconus indices. No complications of CXL occurred in this small study group. CONCLUSIONS: After cross-linking, the corneal shape undergoes a process of regularization. This process is active during the first year after treatment and may continue. Longer follow-up is warranted to estimate the full amount of regression of the keratectasia after CXL.

Prognóstico visual de 'crosslinking' para ceratocone com base em tomografia de córnea pré-operatória / Visual prognosis of crosslinking for kearatoconus based on preoperative corneal tomography

Objetivo: Verificar índices tomográficos do pré-operatório de pacientes com ceratocone submetidos à crosslinking corneano (CXL) como fatores preditivos para a melhora na acuidade visual corrigidas (AVc) após um ano. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo que incluiu 63 olhos de 53 pacientes com ceratocone progressivo submetidos à CXL segundo o protocolo de Dresden: deseptelização corneana, riboflavina 0,1% por 30 minutos e luz ultra-violeta A (UVA) a uma irradiância de 3mW/cm2 por 30 minutos. Foram avaliados exames de tomografia corneana com sistema de Scheimpflug rotacional (Pentacam, Oculus) antes do CXL e a acuidade visual corrigida antes e após a cirurgia. A análise estatística foi feita com o teste de Kolmorov-Smirnov, teste t de student e curvas de característica operador-receptor (ROC). Resultados: Houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) entre os pacientes que obtiveram melhora de AVc em um ano e os que não experimentaram melhora na AVc nesse período nos índices tomográficos pré-operatórios relacionados com espessura e volume corneano. Entre os pacientes que obtiveram melhora na AVc todos possuíam volume corneano em 6,0mm maior que 14,55mm3 e 97,2% deles possuíam volume corneano em 6,5mm maior que 17,76mm3. Assim como, 94,29% desses pacientes apresentavam paquimetria média em 4,0mm maior que 487 μm e 82,86% paquimetria no ponto mais fino maior de 421 μm. Conclusão: Pacientes com ceratocone menos avançado (volume e espessura da córnea maiores) no período pré-operatório obtiveram mais chances de ter melhora da AVc um ano após CXL. Estudos prospectivos envolvendo outras variáveis relacionadas com a aberrometria total e o estudo biomecânico da córnea são relevantes para se aumentar a capacidade prognóstica do resultado após CXL. .

Purpose: To verify pre-operative tomographic indices as predictive parameters for the improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in one year after corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) procedure for keratoconus. Methods: Retrospective study that included 63 eyes of 53 patients with progressive keratoconus submitted to CXL following the Dresden’s protocol: topical anesthesia, 9.0 mm of epithelial abrasion, riboflavin 0.1% drops for 30 minutes and ultraviolet-light A (UVA) with an irradiance of 3mW/cm2 for 30 minutes. Corneal tomography taken by Scheimplug rotational system (Pentacam, Oculus) before CXL was evaluated along with pre and 1 year post-operative BCVA. Statistical analysis was accomplished with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, student’s t-test and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between patients who improved BCVA in one year after CXL and those who did not experienced improvement in BCVA in the same period of time in the pre-operative tomographic indices related to corneal volume and thickness. Among those who had its BCVA improved all of them had a corneal volume in 6.0mm grater then 14.55mm3 and 97.2% of them had corneal volume in 6.5mm grater then 17.76mm3. So with 94.29% of them hadthickness in 4.0mm grater then 487μm and 82.86% had thickness on the thinnest point grater then 421μm. Conclusion: Patients with less advanced keratoconus (grater corneal volume and thickness) in the pre-operative had more chances to improve its BCVA in one year after CXL. Prospective studies involving others variables related to total aberrometry and corneal biomechanics are relevant to increase the prognostic capability of CXL result. .

Epitope-specific recognition of type II collagen by rheumatoid arthritis antibodies is shared with recognition by antibodies that are arthritogenic in collagen-induced arthritis in the mouse.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the fine specificity of IgG autoantibodies in sera from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for type II collagen (CII) epitopes that are arthritogenic in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a relevant murine model of RA. METHODS: For enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis of conformation-dependent autoantibody binding, recombinant chimeric collagens that harbor the respective CII epitopes as an insertion within the frame of a constant type X collagen triple helix were constructed. In addition, synthetic peptides mimicking the native collagen structures were applied for the first time in the ELISA assessment of humoral CII autoimmunity. RESULTS: The pathogenicity of IgG responses to certain CII determinants in CIA was demonstrated by arthritis development in BALB/c mice upon the combined transfer of 2 mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for precisely mapped conformational CII epitopes (amino acid residues 359-369 [C1(III)] and 551-564 [J1]), whereas antibodies to another epitope (F4) were not arthritogenic. To test whether human autoimmune responses are similarly directed to these conserved CII determinants, serum IgG was analyzed. The prevalence of sera with increased IgG binding to the C1(III) epitope was significantly higher in RA compared with sera from healthy donors or from patients with other rheumatic conditions, e.g., osteoarthritis (OA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or relapsing polychondritis (RP), whereas levels of antibodies specific for the nonarthritogenic F4 epitope were associated with OA rather than RA. CONCLUSION: Autoimmunity to CII, although detectable in different rheumatic conditions, differs in fine specificity between distinct disease entities. In RA, in contrast to degenerative joint disease, RP, and SLE, autoantibody responses are directed to an evolutionary conserved CII structure that is also targeted by pathogenic autoimmune responses in murine models of arthritis.