Endotoxicity of newly recognized gram negative organism: a collective review.

A comprehensive picture of the in part personal investigations concerning an Endotoxin-like activity associated with some recently recognized Gram negative significant pathogens has been drawn. Suspensions of heat-killed organisms (or endotoxic lipopolysaccharide when available) have been tested using as markers of endotoxicity the Limulus assay and the skin Shwartzman reaction in rabbit. Some general considerations are finally set forth on the possible role of the surface structures in mediating (with other virulence factors) the damage in the host.