What are examples of virulence factors?

Factors that are produced by a microorganism and evoke disease are called virulence factors. Examples are toxins, surface coats that inhibit phagocytosis, and surface receptors that bind to host cells.

Which of the following is a type of membrane disrupting toxins?

Membrane disrupting toxins are often called ‘heamolysins’ (by staphylococci and streptococci) because red blood cells use such type of toxin system.

Which of the following organisms produces an exotoxin?

Exotoxins are a group of soluble proteins that are secreted by the bacterium, enter host cells, and catalyze the covalent modification of a host cell component(s) to alter the host cell physiology. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria produce exotoxins.

What are Endo and exotoxins?

Exotoxins are usually heat labile proteins secreted by certain species of bacteria which diffuse into the surrounding medium. Endotoxins are heat stable lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes which form structural components of cell wall of Gram Negative Bacteria and liberated only on cell lysis or death of bacteria.

Is botulinum toxin an exotoxin?

Botulinum A exotoxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is now being used by cosmetically oriented specialists for treatment of a large variety of movement associated wrinkles on the face and neck.

Is botulinum toxin an endotoxin?

Botulinum toxin is an endotoxin produced from Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria. Injection of botulinum toxin into a muscle temporarily denervates the targeted muscle. It also reduces secretory function when injected into a gland.

What does an enterotoxin do?

Enterotoxins are frequently cytotoxic and kill cells by altering the apical membrane permeability of the mucosal (epithelial) cells of the intestinal wall. They are mostly pore-forming toxins (mostly chloride pores), secreted by bacteria, that assemble to form pores in cell membranes. This causes the cells to die.