title: No evidence for endotoxin transfer across high flux polysulfone membranes.
abstract: Recently, there has been some concern that high-flux membranes may expose dialysis patients to the risk of endotoxin transfer secondary to backfiltration within the dialyzer. To evaluate the safety of high-flux polysulfone dialyzers, we examined in an in vitro recirculation system whether lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and lipid A respectively penetrate from the dialysate to the blood compartment and vice versa using a F-60 hemofilter (Fresenius AG). For the detection of endotoxin, a sensitive, kinetic limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) microtiter test was used. It can be concluded that LPS and lipid A do not pass from either side through the filter system used when saline was recirculated for more than 10 h on both sides of the membrane.
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008050:Lipid A / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000097:blood; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010539:Permeability; D011108:Polymers; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013450:Sulfones; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D008050:Lipid A; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D013450:Sulfones; C017662:polysulfone P 1700