Endotoxins, bacterial

The terms pyrogens and endotoxins (bacterial) are often used interchangeably. However, the Ph. Eur. makes a clear distinction between them ... 

The General Tests and Assays. This section of the USP gives methods for tests that are general in nature and apply to a number of the substances. Procedures are iacluded for such tests as heavy metals, melting point, chloride, sulfate, sterility, bacterial endotoxins, and pyrogens. Also iacluded are descriptions of various analytical techniques, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, and nmr, and descriptions of tests to be used on glass or plastic containers, mbber closures, etc. 

Endotoxin and Muramyl Dipeptide Derivatives. Bacterial cell wall constituents such as the Hpopolysaccharide endotoxin and muramyl dipeptide, which stimulate host defense systems, show radioprotective activity in animals (204). Although endotoxin is most effective when given - 24 h before irradiation, it provides some protection when adrninistered shortiy before and even after radiation exposure. Endotoxin s radioprotective activity is probably related to its Hpid component, and some of its properties may result from PG and leukotriene induction (204). 

A number of disinfectants apparentiy owe their activity to formaldehyde, although there is argument on whether some of them function by other mechanisms. In this category, the dmg with the longest history is hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine, urotropin) [100-97-0] which is a condensation product of formaldehyde and ammonia that breaks down by acid hydrolysis to produce formaldehyde. Hexamine was first used for urinary tract antisepsis. Other antimicrobials that are adducts of formaldehyde and amines have been made others are based on methylolate derivations of nitroalkanes. The apphcations of these compounds are widespread, including inactivation of bacterial endotoxin preservation of cosmetics, metal working fluids, and latex paint and use in spin finishes, textile impregnation, and secondary oil recovery (117). 

For enzymes intended for parenteral use, the manufacturer must assure that the enzyme preparation is essentially pure and free of endotoxins. Electrophoretic and immunologic tests provide the requisite evidence of purity and homogeneity. Most importandy, the manufacturer must remove toxic impurities, eg, bacterial hpopolysacchati.de (endotoxins) which might cause severe toxic reactions such as anaphylactic shock, fever, and vascular coUapse. 

Damage to the host may arise in two ways. First, multiplication of the microorganisms may cause mechanical damage to the tissue cells through interference with the normal cell metabolism, as seen in viral and some bacterial infections. Second, a toxin associated with the microorganism may adversely affect the tissues or organs of the host. Two types of toxins, called exotoxins and endotoxins, are associated with bacteria. 

Khandaker MH, Xu L, Rahimpour R, et al. CXCR1 and CXCR2 are rapidly down-modulated by bacterial endotoxin through a unique agonist-independent, tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism. J Immunol 1998 161 1930-1938. 

Bacterial and viral infections Immunological depression Hemorrhagic and endotoxin shock Altered drug response... 

Bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) and cytokines (IL-2) are able to activate the contact system in vitro and in vivo (D9, H4, H7, M41). Immediately after severe trauma or after surgical intervention and particularly during sepsis, a reduction of plasma contact system proteins has been found (C10, K1, N9). Gel filtration studies of plasma demonstrated that plasma PK after activation becomes complexed with a2-M and Cl-Inh (W4). These complexes are rapidly eliminated from the circulation in vivo. In experimental studies in which pulmonary insufficiency was induced in dogs, a significant reduction of plasma kallikrein inhibitors was observed together with reduced HMK. Analysis of the relation be-... 

D12. DeRijk, R. H., Van Rooijen, N. Tilders, F. J. H., Besedovsky, H. O., Del Rey, A., and Berken-bosch, F., Selective depletion of macrophages prevents pituitary-adrenal activation in response to subpyrogenic, but not to pyrogenic, doses of bacterial endotoxin. Endocrinology 129, 330-338(1991). 

Bacterial endotoxins. When tested according to the general test <85>, miconazole injection contains not more than 0.1 USP Endotoxin Unit per mg of miconazole. 

In addition to the urgent problem of capacity, manufacturers have to cope with the operating costs of production, which are increased by the need for skilled personnel and expensive media components. Another cost driver is the inherent contamination risk when using mammalian cell culture systems. All materials must be checked closely for bacterial and viral contamination, and the presence of prions and endotoxins. This affects not only the manufacturing process, but also downstream materials and even human semm albumin (HSA) used for formulations. In the end, production costs add up to 100-1000 per gram of therapeutic protein. 

Despite rigorous implementation of GMP, most biopharmaceutical preparations will be contaminated with low levels of Gram-negative bacteria at some stage of manufacture. These bacteria shed endotoxin into the product stream, which is not removed during subsequent bacterial filtration steps. This is one of many reasons why GMP dictates that the level of bioburden in the product stream should be minimized at all stages of manufacture. 

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