Differential Release and Impact of Antibiotic-Induced Endotoxin

This volume addresses a problem encountered in the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections: the capacity of anitbiotics to release endotoxins from Gram-negative microbes during the destruction of these microbes. The contributors examine the mechanisms of antibiotic-induced endotoxin release, discuss the role of endotoxin in the pathogenesis of septic shock and assess the impact of endotoxin release on the clinical outcome of antibiotic therapy. The text presents findings that various antibiotics differ in their potential for endotoxin release. The differences are largely due to different modes of antibacterial activity. The relationship of antibiotic dosage to endotoxin release is also examined.