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rheumatoid factor(RF)
antibodies directed against antigenic determinants on molecules of the IgG class of immunoglobulins, found in the serum of about 80 per cent of patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis, but in only about 20 per cent of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factors may be immunoglobulins of the IgM, IgG, or IgA classes, although serologic tests measure only IgM. Rheumatoid factors also occur in other connective tissue diseases and infectious diseases.
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