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endotoxin Definition

endo·toxin (en′dō täks′in)

noun

the polysaccharide that is combined with a lipid and released from the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria, producing toxic effects causing fever, shock, etc. in many animals

Etymology: endo- + toxin

endotoxin Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • produce: Many strains are facultative intracellular parasites which produce endotoxins and enterotoxins.
  • call: They identified a mouse whose immune system did not react to a substance called endotoxin, a component of bacterial cell walls.

Adjective modifier

  • bacterial: Septic shock is caused by the release of large amounts of bacterial endotoxin ( LPS ) in the body.

Modifies a noun

  • level: In addition, autoclaving led to a significant decrease in endotoxin level ( removal of 99.99 % ).