extracellular toxin

toxin /tox·in/ (tok´sin) a poison, especially a protein or conjugated protein produced by some higher plants, certain animals, and pathogenic bacteria, that is highly poisonous for other living organisms.

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bacterial toxins  toxins produced by bacteria, including exotoxins, endotoxins, and toxic enzymes.

botulinal toxin , botulinum toxin, botulinus toxin an exotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that produces paralysis by blocking the release of acetylcholine in the central nervous system; there are seven immunologically distinct types (A–G). Type A is used therapeutically to inhibit muscular spasm in the treatment of dystonic disorders such as blepharospasm and strabismus, as well as to treat wrinkles of the upper face; type B is used to treat cervical dystonia.

clostridial toxin  one produced by species of Clostridium, including those causing botulinus, gas gangrene, and tetanus.

Dick toxin  streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin.

diphtheria toxin  a protein exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that is primarily responsible for the pathogenesis of diphtheritic infection; it is an enzyme that inhibits protein synthesis.

erythrogenic toxin  streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin.

extracellular toxin  exotoxin.

gas gangrene toxin  an exotoxin produced by Clostridium perfringens that causes gas gangrene; at least 10 types have been identified.

intracellular toxin  endotoxin.

tetanus toxin  the potent exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, consisting of two components, one a neurotoxin (tetanospasmin) and the other a hemolysin (tetanolysin) .

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extracellular toxin

n.

See exotoxin.

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toxin

a poison, especially a protein or conjugated protein produced by certain animals, some higher plants, and pathogenic bacteria. Antigenic toxins, produced by bacteria or helminths, stimulate production of antitoxins. Exotoxins are produced by bacteria and diffuse into surroundings, e.g. tetanus toxin, or can be ingested preformed, e.g. botulinum toxin. Endotoxins are released into the surrounding tissue only when the bacteria break down. They are lipopolysaccharides and form part of the cell wall, e.g. coliform endotoxins. Metabolic toxins, e.g. toxic amines absorbed from damaged intestine, ketones, lactic acid from carbohydrate engorgement, ammonia in liver damage, creatinine in renal dysfunction. See also metabolic toxins.

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dermonecrotic toxin

an exotoxin produced by certain bacteria that causes extensive local necrosis on intradermal inoculation.

extracellular toxin

exotoxin.

intracellular toxin

endotoxin.

tetanus toxin

the potent neurotoxic exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Called also tetanospasmin.