Decomplementation by cobra venom factor suppresses Yersinia-induced arthritis in rats

Lewis rats experimentally infected with Yersinia enterocolitica O8 develop Yersinia-induced arthritis (YIA), which resembles very much reactive arthritis in humans. To investigate the involvement of serum complement in induction and maintenance of YIA, we decomplementated Yersinia-infected Lewis rats by treatment with cobra venom factor starting on day 7 after infection (prearthritic state). Reduction of serum complement activity in vivo by cobra venom factor treatment coincided with suppression of YIA clinically and histomorphologically.