Hemolytic Complement in Synovial Fluid*

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Abstract
These studies demonstrate the presence of complement in synovial fluid. The level of complement activity parallels the degree of inflammation as reflected in leukocyte count and protein concentration in the disease states studied, with the exception of rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, despite inflammation comparable to that of gout and Reiter''s syndrome, the synovial fluid complement level is low rather than high. It is suggested that this is evidence for a local antigen-antibody reaction utilizing complement in rheumatoid arthritis.