noun
- a toxic substance present inside bacterial cells that is released when the bacteria die or are destroyed
Usage: medical; microbiology
Examples
- The endotoxin from the bacteria caused a severe inflammatory response.
- Researchers studied how endotoxins trigger fever in patients.
- The medical team tested for endotoxin contamination in the blood samples.
- Endotoxins are found in the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria.
- The patient’s symptoms were consistent with endotoxin exposure.
- Laboratory equipment must be sterilized to remove any endotoxins.