Description

Pyrogens are biochemicals or microorganisms that are capable of causing fever in a patient. Many types of pyrogens exist and multiple detection systems are available..


 

A septic pyrogen is capable of causing infection, typically is a culturable bacterium, and is capable of being grown in culture.

 

An aseptic pyrogen produces fever yet cultures are negative.

 

Types of pyrogens:

(1) lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacilli (endotoxins)

(2) exotoxins from Gram-positive bacteria

(3) other biochemical products (cell walls, etc)

(4) bacteria

(5) fungi

(6) viruses

(7) mycoplasma

Pyrogen Test

Detects

May Fail to Detect

rabbit pyrogen test

pyrogens capable of causing fever in rabbits

very low concentration

limulus amoebocyte lysate test

lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria

any pyrogen that is not a lipopolysaccharide

culture (bacteria, fungus, virus)

intact micro-organisms

nutritional or thermal requirements outside of culture settings

gross inspection (turbidity, discoloration, bubbles, precipitate)

proliferating organisms or incompatible chemicals

low concentrations

 


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