Endotoxins in the plasma and ascitic fluid of the cirrhotic patient. Their clinical significance

The endotoxin presence was tested by Limulus Lysate Test (LLT) in plasma and ascites of 29 patients with cirrhosis, all having demonstrable portal hypertension and ascite. It was positive in plasma in 7 cases (24.1%) and in ascite in 12 cases (73.12%). All the cases with endotoxin in the plasma were positive in ascite too. 21 patients presented porto-sistemic encephalopathy from 1 to 4 grade, 1 case only had the clinical features of hepatorenal syndrome. The CHE and protrombin test values were significantly different in LLT positive patients in plasma and ascite respect to the values of negative ones.