Plasma endotoxin levels and functions of peripheral granulocytes in surgical patients with respiratory distress syndrome

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Abstract
Plasma endotoxin levels and granulocyte functions (chemiluminescence and chemotaxis) were determined in fifty-two patients with postoperative sepsis. Seventeen had concurrent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS group) and the remaining thirty-five were free of the syndrome (non-RDS group). The plasma endotoxin concentrations were higher in the RDS group than in the non-RDS group (p80 pg) belonged to the RDS group. We noted a positive correlation in chemiluminescence (pin vitro, healthy granulocytes were treated by the endotoxin (E. coli 0111:B4). There was an increase in chemiluminescence and a decrease in chemotactic activity, as observedin vivo. Furthermore, normal granulocytes chemiluminescence was increased by pretreatment of RDS plasma showing high endotoxin levelsin vitro (n=4, p<0.05). Thus, endotoxin in the plasma probably plays an important role in marked changes in peripheral granulocyte functions in patients with respiratory distress syndrome.