Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-initiated activation of serum complement by polymyxin B

Treatment of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) isolated from Salmonella minnesota R595 or purified lipid A with the antibiotic polymyxin B has been demonstrated to abrogate the ability of these molecules to activate serum complement. The inhibition is a function of the ratio of polymyxin B to lipopolysaccharide.