title: Limulus lysate assay for early detection of certain Gram-negative corneal infections.
abstract: The limulus endotoxin assay has been previously demonstrated to be the most sensitive method available for detection of bacterial endotoxin. A commercially available form of limulus amoebocyte lysate was used in this study for detection of Gram-negative corneal infections in both experimental animals and in a group of nine patients. The limulus assay enabled rapid detection of Gram-negative infections in both the experimentally induced ulcers in rabbits and in the patients studied. False-positive reactions did not occur in corneal infections due to either Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, or herpes simplex keratitis. The limulus test proved to be more sensitive than examination of Gram-stained smears of corneal scrapings and became positive earlier than bacterial cultures. The limulus test was helpful in the diagnosis of partially antibiotic-treated corneal infections but could not be used to assess the response to antimicrobial therapy, since endotoxin persisted in the corneal scrapings for some time after initiation of therapy.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004731:Endotoxins; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008033:Limulus Test; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D011817:Rabbits; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D005839:Gentamicins