Diagnosis of Gram negative, ventilator associated pneumonia by assaying endotoxin in bronchial lavage fluid

摘要

Aim-To investigate the usefulness of assaying endotoxin in non-directed bron- chial lavage fluid (NBL), bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), and sera as a means of diagnosing Gram nega- tive, ventilator associated pneumonia. Methods-Samples from 64 patients were Investigated. Fifty nine BALs and 92 NBLs Were assayed in total including specimens Taken during 28 episodes of clinical venti- Lator associated pneumonia (VAP).