Upon completion of the Week 12 visit, Group B patients with active rheumatic arthritis, defined as a swollen joint count (SJC) ≥ 4 (66 joint count) and a tender joint count (TJC) ≥ 6 (68 joint count) were eligible for treatment with 2 infusions of rituximab 1000 mg IV, 14 days apart. Patients received the first infusion of rituximab within 2 weeks after completing the Week 12 visit and after the second C. albicans skin test had been read. Patients received methylprednisolone 100 mg IV before each infusion of rituximab.