A Technique for Quantitative Measurement of Endotoxin in Human Plasma 1

Abstract

Conclusion

The modifications of the Limulus lysate techniques described in this report make this test useful for in vitro quantitation of endotoxin in plasma as well as in saline.

1. The specificity of the test for endotoxin as distinguished from other bacterial toxins and other bacterial substances has been demonstrated.

2. Accuracy of the technique can be confirmed by serial dilutions of known standards of endotoxin in plasma.

3. The end point is discrete and easily recognizable at levels of 0.005 to 0.001 μg/ml of plasma, a sensitivity comparable to the most sensitive of all well-documented bioassays.

4. The speed and simplicity of the technique as modified, together with its specificity and sensitivity, give it considerably greater clinical and research potential for the quantitative measurement of circulating endotoxin than other available methods.