Endotoxins and the importance of procalcitonin

Abstract

Gram-negative bacilli and cocci bacteria produce and release endotoxins, which are lipopolysaccharides found in the outer membrane of the cell wall. These endotoxins are responsible for releasing a series of inflammatory mediators such as IL1, TNFα and proteases, as well as lipid mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes and platelet-activating factor, ultimately activitating immune response cells like leukocytes, macrophages and platelets. These cells amplify the response to shock, generate a procoagulant state and produce alterations at the cellular level, for example, damage to the endothelium, which in the end benefit and worsen the state of septic shock (Figure 1).

Keywords

• Endotoxins
• Procalcitonin