Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
This Gram-positive rod produces a toxin that inactivates EF-2 via ADP-ribosylation.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae — diphtheria toxin
This toxin from ETEC increases cAMP via activation of Gs, causing watery diarrhea.
Heat-labile toxin
This toxin blocks release of GABA and glycine from inhibitory interneurons
Clostridium tetani — tetanospasmin
This staphylococcal toxin is responsible for toxic shock syndrome.
TSST-1
This toxin from Clostridium difficile causes mucosal necrosis and watery diarrhea
Toxin A
This Gram-negative rod produces Exotoxin A, which has the same mechanism as diphtheria toxin.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inactivates EF-2 via ADP ribosylation)
This ETEC toxin increases cGMP, decreasing NaCl reabsorption
Heat-stable toxin
This toxin blocks release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
Clostridium botulinum — botulinum toxin
This staphylococcal toxin causes scalded skin syndrome by cleaving desmoglein
Exfoliative toxin
This toxin disrupts actin cytoskeleton and contributes to pseudomembranous colitis
Toxin B — Clostridium difficile
This toxin produced by Shigella dysenteriae inactivates the 60S ribosome by cleaving rRNA
Shiga toxin
This Gram-negative curved rod produces a toxin that permanently activates Gs → ↑ cAMP → rice-water diarrhea
Vibrio cholerae — cholera toxin
This bacterium is acid-fast, and survives inside macrophages using sulfatides
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
This streptococcal exotoxin is a superantigen causing scarlet fever and toxic shock–like syndrome
Spe A/C — Streptococcus pyogenes exotoxin
This Gram-negative rod causes bloody diarrhea by actin polymerization (“actin rockets”
Shigella species
This E. coli strain produces a Shiga-like toxin, leading to bloody diarrhea and HUS
EHEC O157:H7
This Gram-positive rod produces Edema Factor, an adenylate cyclase
Bacillus anthracis
This Streptococcus produces M protein that leads to molecular mimicry and rheumatic fever
Streptococcus pyogenes
This endotoxin’s Lipid A component triggers macrophages to release TNF-α and IL-1, leading to septic shock
Gram-negative bacteria LPS
This heat-labile toxin increases cAMP levels by permanently activating adenylate cyclase, leading to profuse watery diarrhea often associated with travel
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (LT toxin)
This pathogen produces Pneumolysin and IgA protease, but its capsule is the main virulence factor against phagocytosis
Streptococcus pneumoniae — capsule
This toxin disables Gi proteins, increasing cAMP in host cells
Bordetella pertussis — pertussis toxin
This Streptococcus virulence factor lyses RBCs and WBCs and is the target of ASO antibodies
Streptolysin O
This bacterium produces a superantigen responsible for scalded skin syndrome by cleaving desmoglein-1
Staphylococcus aureus (Exfoliative toxin
This bacterium’s capsule and biofilm-forming alginate contribute to chronic pneumonia in cystic fibrosis patients
Pseudomonas aeruginosa — alginate capsule