Relationship of the blood endotoxin concentration and prognosis in dogs with pyometra

The blood concentrations of endotoxin in dogs with pyometra (n=45) were com pared with those in healthy dogs (n=17). The blood endotoxin concentrations in the healthy dogs (n=17), in those with good prognosis (n=41) and those with poor prognosis (n=4) were 3.4 +/- 2.8 pg/ml, 9.5 +/- 11.3 pg/ml and 74 .2 +/- 18.3 pg/ml, respectively. The concentrations in the dogs with good p rognosis and poor prognosis were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those i n the healthy dogs. The dogs with poor prognosis had significantly (p<0.01) higher endotoxin concentrations than those with good prognosis. Blood endo toxin concentrations were measured in 9 dogs after surgery, and were found to be decreased. These results suggest the possible involvement of endotoxi n in the pathophysiological changes due to pyometra in dogs, and also that the blood endotoxin concentration could be used as a marker to determine pr ognosis.