Bacterial Endotoxins

Microbial Toxins, Volume V: Bacterial Endotoxins covers the physiology, pathology, and immunology of bacterial endotoxins. The book discusses the relationship of lipopolysaccharide structure to bacterial virulence; the importance of blood-group and Forssman antigenic determinants in interactions between human and microbes; and the chemical modification of endotoxin and inactivation of its biological properties. The text also describes the effects of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides on the complement system; the host-dependent detoxification of bacterial endotoxin; and the metabolic effects of bacterial endotoxins. The release of vasoactive agents and the vascular effects of endotoxin are also considered. The book further tackles the febrile response to endotoxin; some major aspects and the relationship between shock and endotoxemia; as well as the effects of lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) on the susceptibility to infections. The text also encompasses the role of hypersensitivity and tolerance in reactions to endotoxins. Pathologists, immunologists, physiologists, and microbiologists will find the book invaluable.

This source expertly examines the discovery, biological structure, control, and continued clarification of endotoxin from a parenteral manufacturing perspective, with in-depth discussion of state-of-the-art technologies involving Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) such as assay development, automation, depyrogenation. Completely revised and exp

Endotoxins are constituents of all gram negative bacteria, as well as many other microorganisms. Since their original discovery and study at the beginning and middle parts of this century, many investigations have been performed concerning their immunochemistry and physicochemistry, as well as their pharmacologic activities and physiologic effects on the host. It became widely recognized during the beginning of this century that the pyrogenicity of many microbial infections may be associated with endotoxins. Furthermore, some 80 years ago, attempts were begun to "treat" a variety of illnesses including neoplasia, with such "pyrogens", Le. , bacterial endo toxins. Inconclusive results were observed including some detrimental ones as well as, in some cases, beneficial ones. It became widely accepted that during infections with many gram negative organisms the fever occurring in patients, as well as many of the untoward pathophysiological effects of the infections, seemed to be due to the endotoxin the bacteria contained or released. In this regard, septic shock has been studied in detail by many clinicians, physiologists and pharmacologists and attempts have been made to relate the devastating effects of infection on metabolic and physiologic alterations caused by endotoxins. Recently, however, many beneficial effects of endotoxin have also been studied.

Bacterial Endotoxic Lipopolysaccharides provides an up-to-date, two-volume review of the latest information regarding bacterial lipopolysaccharide structure and activities. These volumes cover the biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathophysiologic properties of endotoxins. The volumes also thoroughly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of new therapies for septic shock that are based on an immunological attack on endotoxins and the cytokines induced by endotoxins. All scientists involved in endotoxin research, clinical infectious disease specialists, and medical students interested in the pathogenesis of septic shock will find Bacterial Endotoxic Lipopolysaccharides invaluable as a reference resource.

Endotoxins are potentially toxic compounds produced by Gram-negative bacteria including some pathogens. Unlike exotoxins, which are secreted in soluble form by live bacteria, endotoxins are comprised of structural components of bacteria. Endotoxins can cause a whole-body inflammatory state, sepsis, leading to low blood pressure, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. This book brings together contributions from researchers in the forefront of these subjects. It is divided into two sections. The first deals with how endotoxins are synthesized and end up on the bacterial surface. The second discussed how endotoxins activate TLR4 and, in turn, how TLR4 generates the molecular signals leading to infectious and inflammatory diseases. The way endotoxins interact with the host cells is fundamental to understanding the mechanism of sepsis, and recent research on these aspects of endotoxins has served to illuminate previously undescribed functions of the innate immune system. This volume presents a description of endotoxins according to their genetic constitution, structure, function and mode of interaction with host cells.

This volume is based on the proceedings of the International Symposium on Bacterial Endotoxins held in Japan. May 11-14. 1988 and sponsored by the International Endotoxin Society and the International Society for Immuno pharmacology. Speakers and participants of this symposium provided new information concerning fundamental and clinical aspects of endotoxin research conducted over the last half decade or so. Advances have been made in understanding the structure and nature of endotoxin molecules and their effects on a wide variety of both cellular and subcellular aspects, of immunity. metabolism and physiology. both in vivo and in vitro. Endotoxins are constituents of gram negative bacteria. Since their original discovery in the nineteenth century. many laboratories studied their chemical composition. their physico- and immunochemica1 properties. as well as their pharmacological and physiological effects on the host. Much is now known about the chemical structure of the endotoxins. There is also a grow ing body of information concerning the multiple effects of endotoxins on the host including immune mechanisms. Some effects have been found to be benefi cial to the host and endotoxins are being used more frequently to induce important mediators of immunity as well as increasing resistance against infections by many microorganisms as well as inhibiting growth of tumors in experimental animal models and in man.