Endotoxemia detected by Limulus assay in severe malnourished children. Plasma effects on leucocyte migration: preliminary investigations.

The Authors have examined 10 cases of severe malnourished children (7 cases of kwashiorkor, 2 cases of marasmus, 1 case of marasmic kwashiorkor). Experiments were carried in order to detect endotoxemia by means of Limulus test, bacteremia with blood cultures and possible effects of plasma on leucocyte migration by Leucocytes Migration Agarose Test (LMAT). The relationship between severe malnutrition, endotoxemia and leucocytes migration has been discussed.