Failure of cobra venom factor to prevent the generalized Shwartzman reaction and loss of renal cortical fibrinolytic activity.

Previous studies have shown that renal cortical fibrinolytic activity is absent in rabbits given one or two injections of endotoxin. Using a fibrin slide technic, we have studied the effect of endotoxin on cortical fibrinolytic activity in rabbits depleted of terminal complement components (C3-C9) by cobra venom factor. The loss of cortical fibrinolytic activity induced by endotoxin is not prevented by pretreatment with cobra venom factor. Additionally, this complement depletion did not prevent development of glomerular fibrin deposition, cortical necrosis or thrombocytopenia in the generalized Shwartzman reaction.