Absolute identification of muramic acid, at trace levels, in human septic synovial fluids in vivo and absence in aseptic fluids.

Abstract

This is the first report of a study employing the state-of-the-art technique of gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for absolute identification of muramic acid (a marker for peptidoglycan) at trace levels in a human or animal body fluid or tissue. Daughter mass spectra of synovial fluid muramic acid peaks (> or = 30 ng/ml) were identical to those of pure muramic acid. Absolute chemical identification at this level represents a 1,000-fold increase in sensitivity over previous gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identifications. Muramic acid was positively identified in synovial fluids during infection and was eliminated over time but was absent from aseptic fluids.

• Authors: A Fox, K Fox, B Christensson, D Harrelson, M Krahmer
• Journal: Infection and immunity (Infect Immun) Vol. 64 Issue 9 Pg. 3911-5 (Sep 1996) ISSN: 0019-9567 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8751949 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Muramic Acids

Topics

• Arthritis, Infectious (drug therapy, microbiology)
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (methods)
• Humans
• Muramic Acids (analysis)
• Staphylococcal Infections (diagnosis)
• Synovial Fluid (chemistry)
• Time Factors