TABLE 3.
Detection limits and relative potencies of various pyrogens in the human whole blood culture test system
| Pyrogen | Detection limita (relative potencyb) for the following cytokine:
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| IL-6 | TNF-α | IL-1 | |
| Endotoxin | 0.0140 (1) | 0.0143 (1) | 0.142 (1) |
| PG | 50.0 (0.00028) | 140 (0.00010) | 1,350 (0.00011) |
| SAC | 497 (0.000028) | 3,420 (0.0000042) | 10,600 (0.000013) |
| Poly(I · C) | 173 (0.000081) | 1,830 (0.0000078) | 2,350 (0.000063) |
a
The detection limit was defined as the minimum concentration of each pyrogen inducing a significant amount of cytokine production (greater than 2 standard deviations above that obtained with 0 ng of pyrogen/ml). Values are reported in nanograms per milliliter.
b
The cytokine-inducing potency of each pyrogen is expressed relative to that of endotoxin.