Flashcards

Bacterial Toxins

Jacob Coe FoM Year 1 University - Medicine English 9 cards

Cards in this deck (9)

1Define: Toxigenesis.ability to produce toxins.
2What are the 2 main types of toxin & what do they consist of?1. Endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides - found in gram-negative cell walls)
2. Exotoxins (proteins - gram-negative & positive)
3Which has a higher potency: endotoxins or exotoxins?Exotoxins
4What systemic effect can endotoxins cause?Pyrexia
5Why are endotoxins not suitable for use in vaccinations?They cannot be converted into a toxoid.
6Describe the effects of endotoxins & their systemic clinical presentations.Release of cytokines from immune cells --> Pyrexia & inflammation.
Complement activation --> Inflammation
Damage to capillary walls --> fluid leakage into tissues --> Hypotension & Shock
Blood coagulation --> Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
7Exotoxins consist of 2 subunits: A & B. What are the functions of each subunit?Subunit A: enzymatic activity.
Subunit B: Cell adhesion via binding to specific host cell receptor.
8Describe the mechanism of Vibrio cholerae.1. Protein composed of A subunit & 5 B subunits.
2. B binds to receptor; A enters cell.
3. A is cleaved into A1 & A2.
4. A1: ADP-ribosylation activity.
5. Inactivates regulatory molecule involved in cAMP synthesis.
6. Increased cAMP synthesis.
7. Stimulates efflux of Cl- ions.
8. Followed by H2O, Na+ & K+ ions.
9With what substance is the tetanus toxin treated with to form the toxoid?Formaldehyde

Description: University - Medicine FoM Year 1 (Microbiology) Flashcards on Bacterial Toxins, created by Jacob Coe on 15/01/2022.
Created by: Jacob Coe
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