Progress in clinical and biological research
-
Clinical correlations of the plasma chromogenic Limulus assay were evaluated in 520 septic episodes to assess the diagnostic utility of the assay in a university hospital setting. Otherwise unselected patients undergoing blood culture were studied. An association of plasma Limulus activity with gram negative bacteremia and focal infections was found (p less than .001 and p less than .01, respectively). ⋯ Abnormal neutrophil parameters were unassociated with positive assays in any group. The sensitivity and specificity of the test for a condition known to cause endotoxemia--either gram negative infection or major intestinal disease--were low, 21% and 93% respectively. However, the predictive value of a positive test was 79%, indicating utility for the assay.