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Microbiology, 2021

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15.3 • Virulence Factors of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens 635<br />

Comparison of Endotoxin and Exotoxins Produced by Bacteria<br />

Characteristic Endotoxin Exotoxin<br />

LD 50 High Low<br />

Table 15.9<br />

The exotoxins can be grouped into three categories based on their target: intracellular targeting, membrane<br />

disrupting, and superantigens. Table 15.10 provides examples of well-characterized toxins within each of<br />

these three categories.<br />

Some Common Exotoxins and Associated Bacterial Pathogens<br />

Category Example Pathogen Mechanism and Disease<br />

Cholera toxin<br />

Vibrio cholerae<br />

Activation of adenylate cyclase in intestinal cells,<br />

causing increased levels of cyclic adenosine<br />

monophosphate (cAMP) and secretion of fluids and<br />

electrolytes out of cell, causing diarrhea<br />

Intracellulartargeting<br />

toxins<br />

Tetanus toxin<br />

Botulinum<br />

toxin<br />

Clostridium<br />

tetani<br />

Clostridium<br />

botulinum<br />

Inhibits the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters<br />

in the central nervous system, causing spastic<br />

paralysis<br />

Inhibits release of the neurotransmitter<br />

acetylcholine from neurons, resulting in flaccid<br />

paralysis<br />

Diphtheria<br />

toxin<br />

Corynebacterium<br />

diphtheriae<br />

Inhibition of protein synthesis, causing cellular<br />

death<br />

Streptolysin<br />

Streptococcus<br />

pyogenes<br />

Pneumolysin<br />

Streptococcus<br />

pneumoniae<br />

Proteins that assemble into pores in cell<br />

membranes, disrupting their function and killing<br />

the cell<br />

Membranedisrupting<br />

toxins<br />

Alpha-toxin<br />

Alpha-toxin<br />

Staphylococcus<br />

aureus<br />

Clostridium<br />

perfringens<br />

Phospholipase<br />

C<br />

Pseudomonas<br />

aeruginosa<br />

Phospholipases that degrade cell membrane<br />

phospholipids, disrupting membrane function and<br />

killing the cell<br />

Beta-toxin<br />

Staphylococcus<br />

aureus

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