Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Endotoxin During Endotoxemia

Dogs were given E. coli endotoxin intravenously to produce the typical hemodynamic and respiratory shock state. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of endotoxin were measured by the Limulus in vitro endotoxin assay at predetermined intervals for two hours. During the period when the plasma concentration was at its highest, no endotoxin was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. These results suggest that systemic endotoxin does not produce its effects by acting directly on the central nervous system during the early phase of endotoxemia.