According
to Laupland (2009), pyrogens are fever producing substances which are metabolic
products of microorganisms. Chemically, they are lipid substances associated
with a carrier molecule, which is usually a polysaccharide. The carrier may
also be a peptide (Soszynski, 2013). These carriers increase the solubility of
the lipid. Pyrogens are produced by many microorganisms including bacteria,
yeasts and moulds. Most potent pyrogens are the endotoxins produced from the
cell walls of the Gram- negative bacteria. Pyrogens have a high molecular
weight, often, more than 1,000,000 (Soszynski, 2013). Sources of pyrogens include
solvents, drugs, additives apparatus used in manufacture, containers; all or
any of these may be sources of pyrogens. The method of storage in between
preparation and sterilization also may cause the development of pyrogens.
to Laupland (2009), pyrogens are fever producing substances which are metabolic
products of microorganisms. Chemically, they are lipid substances associated
with a carrier molecule, which is usually a polysaccharide. The carrier may
also be a peptide (Soszynski, 2013). These carriers increase the solubility of
the lipid. Pyrogens are produced by many microorganisms including bacteria,
yeasts and moulds. Most potent pyrogens are the endotoxins produced from the
cell walls of the Gram- negative bacteria. Pyrogens have a high molecular
weight, often, more than 1,000,000 (Soszynski, 2013). Sources of pyrogens include
solvents, drugs, additives apparatus used in manufacture, containers; all or
any of these may be sources of pyrogens. The method of storage in between
preparation and sterilization also may cause the development of pyrogens.
If
unintentionally, pyrogens are injected into a patient, they may bring about the
following physiological changes, erythema at the injection site, pain in the
legs and trunk, general discomfort and high temperature. Pyrogens, if present
in large volume parenterals, can be especially dangerous, as they would be
present in large quantities and are given intravenously. Pyrogens in large
volume parenterals may make the patients very ill and the effect of rise of
temperature may be fatal. Hence there is a need for testing parenteral
solutions for their apyrogenesity and Pharmacopeias make it compulsory (Fauci,
2008).
unintentionally, pyrogens are injected into a patient, they may bring about the
following physiological changes, erythema at the injection site, pain in the
legs and trunk, general discomfort and high temperature. Pyrogens, if present
in large volume parenterals, can be especially dangerous, as they would be
present in large quantities and are given intravenously. Pyrogens in large
volume parenterals may make the patients very ill and the effect of rise of
temperature may be fatal. Hence there is a need for testing parenteral
solutions for their apyrogenesity and Pharmacopeias make it compulsory (Fauci,
2008).
