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Exotoxins and Endotoxins

  Exotoxin Endotoxin 
Definition Immunogenic protein secreted from a living organism (that is heat labile and has a specific molecular target Lipopolysaccharide derived from the cell wall of an organism that is not usually immunogenic (is heat stable)
Examples
  • Enzymes: vibrio
  • Neurotoxins: clostridium
  • Disrupters of membranes: clostridium 

Cause

  • Cytokine formation
  • Fibrin degredation
  • Activation of clotting cascade
  • Kinin formation
  • Nitric oxide formation
  • Prostaglanding formation
  • Complement activation
  • Platelet activating factor formation
  • Leucotriene formation 
Diseases
  • Cholera (vibrio)
  • Dipheri
  • Gas gangrene: cl.perfringens
  • Food poisioning
  • Botulism
  • Shock
  • DIC
  • Hypotension
  • Organ failure
  • Pyrexia 

 

 

 

 

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