Sources and activities of bacterial toxins

Question 1

Anthrax toxin (EF)

Answer 1

Bacteria involved:
- Bacillus Anthracis

Activity:
- Edema factor (EF) is an Adenylate cyclase that causes increased levels in intracellular cAMP in phagocytes and formation of ion-permeable pores in membranes (hemolysis).

Question 2

Adenylate cyclase toxin

Answer 2

Bacteria involved:
- Bordetella pertussis

Activity:
- Acts locally to increase level of cAMP in phagocytes and formation of ion-permeable pores in membranes (hemolysis).

Question 3

Cholera enterotoxin

Answer 3

Bacteria involved:
- Vibrio cholerae

Activity:
- ADP ribosylation of G-proteins stimulates Adenylate cyclase and increases cAMP in cell of the GI-tract, causing secretion of water and electrolytes.

Question 4

E. Coli LT toxin

Answer 4

Bacteria involved:
- Escherichia coli

Activity:
- Similar to Cholera toxin –> ADP ribosylation of G-proteins stimulates Adenylate cyclase and increases cAMP in cell of the GI-tract, causing secretion of water and electrolytes.

Question 5

Shiga toxin

Answer 5

Bacterial involved:
- Shigella dysenteriae

Activity:
- Enzymatically cleaves rRNA, resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis in susceptible cells.

Question 6

Botulinum toxin

Answer 6

Bacterial involved:
- Clostridium botulinum

Activity:
- Protease that inhibits neurotransmission at neuromuscular synapses resulting in flaccid paralysis.

Question 7

Tetanus toxin

Answer 7

Bacterial involved:
- Clostridium tetani

Activity:
- Protease that inhibits neurotransmission at inhibitory synapses resulting in spastic paralysis.

Question 8

Diphtheria toxin

Answer 8

Bacterial involved:
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Activity:
- ADP ribosylation of elongation factor 2 (EF-2) leading to inhibition of protein synthesis in target cells

Question 9

Pertussis toxin

Answer 9

Bacterial involved:
- Bordetella pertussis

Activity:
- ADP ribosylation of G-proteins blocks inhibition of adenylate cyclase in susceptible cells. Resulting in increased cAMP.

Question 10

Staphylococcus enterotoxin

Answer 10

Bacterial involved:
- Staphylococcus aureus

Activity:
- Massive activation of the immune system, including lymphocytes and macrophages, leading to emesis (vomiting).

Question 11

Toxin shock syndrome toxin (TSST)

Answer 11

Bacterial involved:
- Staphylococcus aureus

Activity:
- Acts on the vascular system, causing inflammation, fever and shock

Question 12

Pyrogenic exotoxin (scarlet fever toxin)

Answer 12

Bacterial involved:
- Streptococcus pyogenes

Activity:
- Causes localized erythematous reactions