ANTIBIOTIC-INDUCED RELEASE OF ENDOTOXIN - CLINICAL-DATA AND HUMAN STUDIES

In vitro and animal studies, but also clinical data, indicate that tre atment with antibiotics may cause systemic or local endotoxin liberati on. In several studies this so-called 'endotoxin release' was accompan ied by a deterioration of parameters of illness. In addition, in vitro studies have clearly demonstrated that equally effective antibiotics can differ in the amount of endotoxin they release. These differences between antibiotics can be related to different modes of anti-bacteria l activities. In a number of animal studies these differences in endot oxin-releasing potential resulted in differences in morbidity and/or m ortality. In only one study, antibiotics were compared in this respect in septic patients. The results of that study suggested that differen ces between antibiotics in endotoxin release may indeed affect the inf lammatory response during treatment.