Endotoxemia and Endotoxemia Diagnostics

Abstract

After the study of a group of severely burned patients with septicemia the authors reached the conclusion that the diagnosis of endotoxemia should be based on the following criteria: clinical condition, laboratory results and autopsy findings. Clinical findings can be subdivided into anamnestic data (such as age, liver function etc.) and direct clinical observation (taking into account states of stress and some specific surgical procedures). The most significant laboratory findings in the investigated group of patients were hypoxy, metabolic acidosis, lowered platelet count and positive Limulus test. Autopsy findings corresponded to findings in septicemia and shock. The authors also discuss the significance of activated lymphocyte accumulation in the liver following endotoxin administration in animals.