What are endotoxins
Dictionary definition: A heat-resistant pyrogen (specifically a lipopolysaccharide) found in the cell walls of certain pathogenic (disease-producing) bacteria. Endotoxins are part of the outer cell wall of bacteria, invariably associated with Gram-negative bacteria as constituents of the outer membrane of the cell wall. Endotoxins are heat stable (boiling for 30 minutes does not destabilize endotoxin), but can be degraded by certain powerful oxidising agents (superoxide, peroxide and hypochlorite). Therefore, even if a medical device has been sterilised, residual endotoxins may still be found on the device. (This question last updated on the 9-4-97, by pete@smtl.co.
