Endotoxins in commercial vaccines.

Twenty samples of commercial vaccines intended for administration to humans were assayed for the presence of bacterial endotoxins by using the Limulus amebocyte lysate test. Sixteen of the vaccines contained more than 0.1 ng of endotoxin per ml (which corresponds to 103 bacterial cell wall equivalents per ml in the undiluted vaccines). These results suggest that at some stage of preparation, the vaccines have contained varying amounts of gram-negative bacteria and may indicate the presence of other bacterial products as well. It might be useful to list the level of endotoxins, phage, and other contaminants on each vaccine lot to facilitate studies on any side effects of these contaminants. Selection of vaccine lots with the least endotoxin might reduce some of the adverse effects of vaccinations.     

Immunogenicity of Deoxycholate-disrupted Endotoxins

A comparison of the immunogenicity of sodium deoxycholate-disrupted lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli cell walls revealed that these fragments, which are nonimmunogenic in the rabbit, have some activity in the mouse. This relationship was independent of the route of immunization and sex, but in both species immunogenicity was restored by dilution or dialysis. Adsorption of disrupted lipopolysaccharides onto bentonite particles or administration with methylated bovine serum albumin and Freund's adjuvant did not appreciably augment activity in vivo. It is postulated that in the mouse the requirements for immunogenicity of these lipopolysaccharides are either less stringent with regard to the three-dimensional structure of the antigen, or that a reaggregation to toxic, native lipopolysaccharides may occur in vivo.     

艾迪注射液细菌内毒素检查方法探讨

目的:建立艾迪注射液细菌内毒素检查方法。方法:根据《中华人民共和国药典》2005年版Ⅱ部收载的细菌内毒素检查法进行。结果:将艾迪注射液稀释至1/6后可消除干扰因素,用标示灵敏度为0.25 EU/mL的鲎试剂检测细菌内毒素是有效的。结论:细菌内毒素检查法准确、可靠,适用于检测艾迪注射液中的内毒素。     

Review. Endotoxins and blood coagulation

The impact of blood coagulation caused by endotoxins (ET) is reported in a survey. In this connection the activation of factor XII by ET and the activation of the intrinsic system of coagulation due to it are discussed, the mechanism of blood platelet damage with subsequent thrombocytopenia is dealt with, and the induction for liberating of a thromboplastin-like procoagulant from leukocytes as well as the factors influencing this liberation are described. Furthermore, the mechanisms leading to the damage of the endothelia cell are discussed and the correlations to the complement system are described. On the basis of facts known up till now special attention is devoted to the role of the thromboplastin-like procoagulant and the activation of the extrinsic system caused by it in developing a DIC syndrome.     

Biological Activities of Endotoxins from Yersinia enterocolitica

The chemical properties and the general biological activities of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Boivin-type endotoxin obtained respectively by phenol-water and trichloroacetic acid extraction from Yersinia enterocolitica serotypes 03 and 09 were studied. The yield of LPS from the O9 strain was about 10% of the O3 strain possibly because of the lower solubility of O9-LPS in aqueous phase. However, the chemical composition of O9-LPS was similar to that of O3-LPS in the proportions of reducing sugar, glucosamine, heptose, KDO, and lipid A. In pyrogenicity and local Shwartzman reactivity in rabbits and lethality for mice, there was also no difference between O3 and O9-LPS. The anthrone-positive carbohydrate and lipid A contents of Boivin-type endotoxin from O3 were higher than those of the endotoxin from O9. The biological activities of Boivin-type endotoxin from O3 were also remarkably higher than those of the endotoxin from O9. It seems that endotoxin of Y. enterocolitica serotype O3 may play an important role in infection by this organism.     

Endotoxins and their significance for murine trypanosomiasis

The study of endotoxins is complicated by their heterogenous nature, their multiple effects and the complex methodologies required for their identification. In this brief review, Vic Pentreath summarizes how the substances have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases caused by parasitic protozoa, and how the parasites (eg. Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi) may themselves contain endotoxin-like materials. Recent studies have shown that, during T. b. brucei infection in mice, serum endotoxin levels become markedly elevated and that endotoxin-like substances are also present in the purified parasite extracts.     

猪对两种黑麦原料消化性的研究

分别以HH91和Pluto两种黑麦作为饲料来源进行消化试验.结果 表明,喂饲HH91黑麦组日粮中干物质、粗蛋白、粗纤维、无氮浸出物、有机物等的表观消化率、总能的表观消化率、日粮可消化蛋白质的利用系数和N平衡等均高于Pluto组,其中粗纤维的表观消化率有极显著性的差异( P<0.01),有机物表观消化率差异性显著(P<0.05),其余指标差异不明显(P >0.05).喂饲HH91黑麦组日粮中粗脂肪、粗灰分和总能的表观消化率则低于Pluto组,但差异不明显( P >0.05).     

The Contribution of Gut-Derived Endotoxins to Liver Injury

The liver serves as the key organ for the removal and detoxification of bacterial endotoxins that are continously absorbed in small amounts from the gastrointestinal tract. This paper postulates that liver injury impairs this detoxification process leading to further liver damage and systemic effects as well. Evidence is reviewed to support the contention that endotoxin may be a major common pathway for liver injury by a variety of agents, and methods of reducing endotoxicity of gut origin are proposed. Finally, a new solid phase radioimmunometric assay for E. coli 026 is described and its usefulness as a gut marker suggested.     

Air-sampled Filter Analysis for Endotoxins and DNA Content

Outdoor aerosol research commonly uses particulate matter sampled on filters. This procedure enables various characterizations of the collected particles to be performed in parallel. The purpose of the method presented here is to obtain a highly accurate and reliable analysis of the endotoxin and DNA content of bio-aerosols extracted from filters. The extraction of high molecular weight organic molecules, such as lipopolysaccharides, from sampled filters involves shaking the sample in a pyrogen-free water-based medium. The subsequent analysis is based on an enzymatic reaction that can be detected using a turbidimetric measurement. As a result of the high organic content on the sampled filters, the extraction of DNA from the samples is performed using a commercial DNA extraction kit that was originally designed for soils and modified to improve the DNA yield. The detection and quantification of specific microbial species using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) analysis are described and compared with other available methods.     

Tolerance and Other Biological Properties of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Endotoxins

Biological properties of endotoxins prepared from three strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were compared with reference to commercially prepared Salmonella typhi endotoxin. Endotoxin assays performed in rabbits included dermal Shwartzman reactivity, pyrogenicity, heat stability, and ability to induce tolerance as well as cross-tolerance. Mice were used for endotoxin LD₅₀ determinations. Results showed V. parahaemolyticus endotoxins were similar to that of S. typhi strain O901. Induction of tolerance to V. parahaemolyticus strain 11590 endotoxin resulted in complete cross-tolerance to S. typhi endotoxin, and vice versa. Partial cross-tolerance to S. typhi endotoxin was demonstrated with rabbits rendered tolerant to endotoxin from V. parahaemolyticus strains Sak-3 and FC1011. Absorption spectra, nitrogen, phosphorus and carbohydrate analyses revealed additional similarities between endotoxins from V. parahaemolyticus and endotoxin from a member of the Enterobacteriaceae.     

Endotoxins stimulate generation of superoxide radicals and lipid peroxidation in blood platelets

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is an important structural constituent of the membrane of gram-negative bacteria with a wide range of biological effects. It can activate blood platelets. The purpose of present study was to determine the direct effect of endotoxins from Proteus mirabilis, differing significantly in their composition, on the generation of superoxide radicals and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in blood platelets. Superoxide radicals were measured by means of superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome C. The TBARS determination (malonyldialdehyde) was used as a marker of endogenous arachidonate metabolism and thromboxane A2 synthesis. Results demonstrate that three endotoxins (LPS S1959, LPS R110, LPS R45) after 2 min of action, even at the lowest concentration (0.03 microg/10(8) platelets) stimulated the generation of TBARS and release of superoxide radicals. All LPS contain lipid A as a component but differ in their chemical composition in the polysaccharide part. It is suggested that the observed effects of LPS on blood platelets are attributable to their lipid A portion.     

Simple Method for Repurification of Endotoxins for Biological Use

A method for obtaining highly purified endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) in a few hours by repurification of commercial or laboratory preparations was devised. It avoids the use of phenol, which is not suitable for phenol-soluble lipopolysaccharides nor for some industrial purposes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the integrity of the purified LPSs. The purified products did not activate Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), nuclear oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1), or NOD2 but did activate TLR4. Applied to different lipopolysaccharides, the method also improved their mass spectra, thus facilitating their structural analysis.     

Salmonella Isolated from Animals and Feedstuffs in Sweden during 1988-1992

The present paper surveys the number of Salmonella isolations in animals and feedstuffs in Sweden during 1988–1992. It is the eighth in a series of reports published by the National Veterinary Institute (NVI) since 1949. During the period referred to, 602 outbreaks of Salmonella were reported in animals, both domestic and wild. Compared with the previous 5-year period there was a 20% reduction in the number of outbreaks (760). Fifty-six different serotypes were reported, 19 of which had never been isolated in any animal in Sweden previously. A temporary increase in the number of outbreaks in poultry was seen in 1991 following an extended sampling before slaughter of layers. A remarkably high prevalence (38%) of Salmonella was observed in snakes in the wild. In 1990, the end-point testing of feeds was replaced by an approach based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles for the monitoring of feed mills. Significantly higher number of Salmonella positive samples were found by using this technique compared with the previous analysis of finished feed. It is concluded that the adopted Salmonella control program has contributed to a reduced number of Salmonella outbreaks in animals in Sweden.     

Endotoxins of enteric pathogens are chemotactic factors for human neutrophils

Early activation of human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils is characterized by their morphological changes from spherical to polarized shapes. The endotoxins from enteric pathogens (S. dysenteriae type 1, V. cholerae Inaba 569B, S. typhimurium, and K. pneumoniae) were assessed by their ability to induce morphological polarization of the neutrophils as measures of early activation. Phagocytic activity, adhesion, chemokinetic locomotion, and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye-reduction ability measured the later activation of the cells. Neutrophils showed distinct morphological polarization in suspension over a wide range of concentrations of these endotoxins when were compared with those that were induced by the standard chemotactic factor, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP). It was discovered that all of the endotoxins induced locomotor responses in neutrophils in suspension that were dose- and time-dependent. The optimum concentration for the endotoxins of S. dysenteriae, V. cholerae, and K. pneumoniae was 1 mg/ml in which 71, 69, and 66% of the neutrophils were polarized. However, the S. typhimurium dose was 2 mg/ml in which 50% of the cells responded. Neutrophils that were stimulated with endotoxins also showed increased random locomotion (p<0.005) through cellulose nitrate filters, but an enhanced adhesion of the cells to glass surfaces (p<0.03). These are important functions of these cells to reach and phagocytose damaged cells, as well as invading microorganisms. Interestingly, the endotoxins had a highly-significant inhibitory effect upon the proportions of neutrophils phagocytosing opsonized yeast (p<0.01) with a small number of yeast that were engulfed by the cells (p<0.02). Further, endotoxin-treated cells showed an enhanced ability to reduce NBT dye (p<0.03). Therefore, we concluded that endotoxins of enteric pathogens are neutrophil chemotactic factors.     

Enhancement of the Lethal Effects of Endotoxins by Interferon Inducers

Prior treatment of mice with poly I:C or NDV enhanced the lethal effect of E. coli or B. dermatitidis endotoxins.