ABSTRACT
A pyrogen is defined as a fever-producing agent. Pyrogens are substances that cause febrile reactions when sufficient amounts enter the circulatory system. Bacterial endotoxin is the most significant pyrogen because of its potency and ubiquity. The Bacterial Endotoxins Test has generally replaced the rabbit pyrogen test in the pharmaceutical applications. This entry first reviews the nature of pyrogens, then moves to a discussion of pyrogen testing, bacterial endotoxins testing and depyrogenation.
