[Animal experiment studies of the distribution and elimination of radioactively marked endotoxin]

We were able reproduce typical morphological and laboratory changes of endotoxinemia in dogs and small experimental animals by administration of E. coli = 111 K58 endotoxin labelled with 99m Tc. Contrary to the literature our distribution studies in rats showed a high concentration of endotoxin in the kidney. An effective endotoxin elimination was possible by extracorporal hemoperfusion in vitro and vivo. Optimal results were achieved using immunoabsorption in combination with plasmapheresis. However, further experimental studies are necessary to clarify the problem fully.