Mononuclear phagocyte thromboplastin, bacterial counts and endotoxin levels in experimental endogenous gram-negative sepsis.

The relationship between mononuclear phagocyte thromboplastin activity, microorganisms and levels of endotoxin in peritoneal fluid and splanchnic and systemic circulation was evaluated during experimental endogenous gram-negative peritonitis in the rat. Significant rise in thromboplastin activity of mononuclear phagocytes was demonstrated in all three compartments. This newly synthesized thromboplastin is a trigger for important biologic systems such as the coagulation cascade, and thus may play a major role in the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation so often occurring in gram-negative sepsis. It probably also participates in the formation of fibrous intraabdominal adhesions. Aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms together with endotoxin were detected already 1 1/2 hours after induction of peritonitis, and subsequently were found to increase in parallel fashion. Determination of endotoxin is a rapid and seemingly reliable method for early detection of gram-negative infection and thus may be of clinical value.