Human responses to bacterial endotoxin.

The literature concerning human responses to bacterial endotoxin, in particular to the purified lipopolysaccharide derivative, has been critically reviewed and summarized. Papers selected for review are those that reported studies of human subjects in a normal state of health administered defined doses of either intravenous or aerosol inhaled material. Emphasis was placed on cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters. The information detailed here can be applied to understanding the pathophysiology of human consequences to spontaneous, clinical diseases induced by this highly inflammatory and ubiquitous substance.