[Limulus amebocyte lysate test use in clinical diagnostic in children with infectious diseases--preliminary report].

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was (1) to evaluate the usefulness of the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test as a diagnostic tool in pediatric clinic, and (2) to examine the serum ET levels in hospitalized patients.

Material And Methods: Bacterial blood endotoxin (ET) was measured in 50 children with infections of different etiology and localization. A Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test was used.

Conclusions: The usefulness of LAL test in routine diagnostic procedures in hospitalized children with infections was not proven so far. However, the LAL test appeared useful in the urinary tract infection (UTI) cases in which significant elevation of serum ET levels were demonstrated. Moreover, it was confirmed that LAL test can be performed as well in serum: the mean values of serum ET levels in our patients were comparable with published ET plasma values in adults.