Which of the following statements about the treatment of endotoxin-induced symptoms is correct?

• A. Vaccination is the standard method for treating acute endotoxin toxicity.
• B. Supportive care, such as fluid replacement and management of shock, is the primary treatment for endotoxin-induced symptoms.
• C. Most symptoms of endotoxins can be effectively treated with administration of anti-endotoxin antibodies.
• D. Antibiotics alone are sufficient to neutralize endotoxins and alleviate their symptoms.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what endotoxins are—these are lipopolysaccharides found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria that can trigger strong immune responses when released into the host.
2. Step 2: Recognize that endotoxin-induced symptoms, such as fever, shock, and inflammation, result from the host's immune response rather than direct bacterial damage.
3. Step 3: Review treatment strategies—note that vaccination is preventive, not a treatment for acute symptoms, and antibiotics kill bacteria but may release more endotoxin temporarily.
4. Step 4: Learn that anti-endotoxin antibodies have limited clinical use because neutralizing endotoxins in the bloodstream is challenging and not reliably effective in acute settings.
5. Step 5: Conclude that supportive care, including fluid replacement and management of shock, is the primary and most effective approach to treating symptoms caused by endotoxins during acute toxicity.