A 25-year-old female sees her physician because of swelling in the joints of her hands and generally feeling tired and run down.A slide agglutination test for antibody directed against IgG is positive.What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by joint swelling and fatigue. A positive slide agglutination test for anti-IgG antibodies is a common finding in rheumatoid arthritis, as these antibodies are produced in response to the body's own IgG molecules that have become altered and are now seen as foreign. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and syphilis would not typically present with joint swelling, and mono does not cause joint inflammation.

A 25-Year-Old Female Sees Her Physician Because of Swelling in the Joints