Biomaterial Database

Detection of endotoxin in cerebrospinal and joint fluids by limulus assay. 1977

C U Tuazon, and A A Perez, and R J Elin, and J N Sheagren

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and joint fluid from 81 patients were studied for the presence of endotoxin using the limulus assay. All fluids that grew Gram-negative organisms had a positive limulus test. However, one sample of CSF and one of joint fluid, both very purulent, that contained Gram-positive organisms also gave positive limulus assays. All culturally negative fluids had a negative limulus assay. Thus, a positive limulus assay with CSF or joint fluid is indicative of bacterial infection probably caused by Gram-negative organisms and can be an extremely useful diagnostic adjunct.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008581	Meningitis	Inflammation of the coverings of the brain and/or spinal cord, which consist of the PIA MATER; ARACHNOID; and DURA MATER. Infections (viral, bacterial, and fungal) are the most common causes of this condition, but subarachnoid hemorrhage (HEMORRHAGES, SUBARACHNOID), chemical irritation (chemical MENINGITIS), granulomatous conditions, neoplastic conditions (CARCINOMATOUS MENINGITIS), and other inflammatory conditions may produce this syndrome. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1994, Ch24, p6)	Pachymeningitis,Meningitides,Pachymeningitides
D002555	Cerebrospinal Fluid	A watery fluid that is continuously produced in the CHOROID PLEXUS and circulates around the surface of the BRAIN; SPINAL CORD; and in the CEREBRAL VENTRICLES.	Cerebro Spinal Fluid,Cerebro Spinal Fluids,Cerebrospinal Fluids,Fluid, Cerebro Spinal,Fluid, Cerebrospinal,Fluids, Cerebro Spinal,Fluids, Cerebrospinal,Spinal Fluid, Cerebro,Spinal Fluids, Cerebro
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004731	Endotoxins	Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells.	Endotoxin
D006737	Horseshoe Crabs	An arthropod subclass (Xiphosura) comprising the North American (Limulus) and Asiatic (Tachypleus) genera of horseshoe crabs.	Crabs, Horseshoe,Limulus,Limulus polyphemus,Tachypleus,Xiphosura,Crab, Horseshoe,Horseshoe Crab,Xiphosuras
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D001170	Arthritis, Infectious	Arthritis caused by BACTERIA; RICKETTSIA; MYCOPLASMA; VIRUSES; FUNGI; or PARASITES.	Arthritis, Bacterial,Arthritis, Septic,Arthritis, Viral,Arthritides, Bacterial,Arthritis, Suppurative,Bacterial Arthritides,Bacterial Arthritis,Infectious Arthritis,Suppurative Arthritis,Septic Arthritis,Viral Arthritis
D013582	Synovial Fluid	The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE. It contains mucin, albumin, fat, and mineral salts and serves to lubricate joints.	Synovia,Fluid, Synovial,Fluids, Synovial,Synovial Fluids
D018805	Sepsis	Systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a proven or suspected infectious etiology. When sepsis is associated with organ dysfunction distant from the site of infection, it is called severe sepsis. When sepsis is accompanied by HYPOTENSION despite adequate fluid infusion, it is called SEPTIC SHOCK.	Bloodstream Infection,Pyaemia,Pyemia,Pyohemia,Blood Poisoning,Poisoning, Blood,Septicemia,Severe Sepsis,Blood Poisonings,Bloodstream Infections,Infection, Bloodstream,Poisonings, Blood,Pyaemias,Pyemias,Pyohemias,Sepsis, Severe,Septicemias