endotoxin /en·do·tox·in/ (en´do-tok″sin) a heat-stable toxin present in the intact bacterial cell but not in cell-free filtrates of cultures of intact bacteria. Endotoxins are lipopolysaccharide complexes that occur in the cell wall; they are pyrogenic and increase capillary permeability.en´dotoxic
endotoxin
endotoxin,
endotoxin (en´dōtok´sin),
endotoxin
en·do·tox·in ( n d -t k s n)n. A toxin that forms an integral part of the cell wall of certain bacteria and is only released upon destruction of the bacterial cell. Endotoxins are less potent and less specific than most exotoxins and do not form toxoids. Also called intracellular toxin. en do·toxic adj. |
endotoxin
[en′dōtok′sin]
Etymology: Gk, endon + toxikon, poison
a toxin contained in the cell walls of some microorganisms, especially gram-negative bacteria, that is released when the bacterium dies and is broken down in the body. Fever, chills, shock, leukopenia, and a variety of other symptoms result, depending on the particular organism and the condition of the infected person. Compare exotoxin.
endotoxin,
n toxin present in the cell walls of bacteria that is released after the bacteria has died. May cause chills, fever, leukopenia, and shock depending on the bacterial species and the health of the infected person.
endotoxin (en´dōtok´sin),
n a nondiffusible lipid polysaccharide-polypeptide complex formed within bacteria (some gram-negative bacilli and others); when released from the destroyed bacterial cells, endotoxin is capable of producing a toxic manifestation within the host.
endotoxin
a heat-stable toxin present in the intact bacterial cell but not in cell-free filtrates of cultures of intact bacteria. It is the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative outer membranes. Also called O antigen. It is pyrogenic and increases capillary permeability through stimulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha release.
endotoxin
Bacterial endotoxin, lipid A Microbiology A heat-stable lipopolysaccharide on the outer coat of gram-negative bacteria–eg, those causing cholera, meningitis, pneumonia, plague, whooping cough, et al Clinical Leukopenia,
thrombocytopenia, fever, chills, hemorrhagic shock, dec resistance to infection
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|