Acute Gouty Arthritis and Response to Colchicine in the Virtual Absence of Synovial-Fluid Leukocytes

ALTHOUGH the mechanism of action of colchicine in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis remains unproved, the various theories for its action have a common requirement — the participation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.1 , 2 Moreover, theories regarding the mechanism of the acute arthritis itself usually postulate an essential role for polymorphonuclear leukocytes.3 , 4 Question about this obligatory role was raised by the response of proved acute gouty arthritis to colchicine in a renal-transplant patient with virtual absence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from the synovial fluid.Case ReportA 26-year-old uoemployed male cook received a renal transplant (cadaveric) at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, . . .