Patients developed inflammation a few hours following eye surgery.Instruments and solutions were sterile,and the Limulus assay was positive.The patients' inflammation was due to
A)bacterial infection.
B)viral infection.
C)endotoxin.
D)exotoxin.
E)The answer cannot be determined based on the information provided.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The positive Limulus assay suggests the presence of endotoxin, which is a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the most likely cause of the patients' inflammation is endotoxin contamination of the surgical instruments or solutions.

Patients Developed Inflammation a Few Hours Following Eye Surgery