Introduction:
- Microbial toxins are the toxins that are produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungus, protozoa, dinoflagellates, and viruses.
- Bacterial toxins are potent, poisonous substances that are produced and released by many pathogenic bacteria which harm host cells and target other bacterial cells through various mechanism of action such as damaging DNA, poking holes in cell membranes, tissue destruction, and other events.
- However, proper understanding the mechanisms, and health impacts of these toxins is crucial for developing and designing various possible effective treatments and preventative measures.
Types:
Exotoxin
- Toxins secreted by living bacterial cells during exponential growth that are highly potent and strongly antigenic that can target specific tissues or organs which cause severe, localized effects and eventually disrupt the integrity of host cell membranes.
- This is produced by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria which are the most potent poisons known and may show activity at very high dilutions and therefore cause significant harm even in small quantities.
- The production of protein toxins is specific to a particular bacterial species such as Clostridium tetani produces tetanus toxin and Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces the diphtheria toxin
- They are usually soluble protein is also known as “Bacterial protein toxins” and resemble like enzyme. They are very sensitive to heat, acid, proteolytic enzymes, and exhibit specificity
- Some of the components of the toxin are responsible for the enzymatic activity of the toxin while other is concerned with binding to a specific receptor on the host cell membrane and transporting the enzyme across the membrane.
Fig: Different types of bacterial toxins
Endotoxin
Endotoxins are the outer parts of the bacterial cell wall especially Gram-ve bacteria such as E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Neisseria, Haemophilus Pseudomonas, and other pathogens. Basically, it is released upon cell death, autolysis, phagocytic digestion, and cell lysis which trigger a widespread inflammatory response. Although they are strongly antigenic, it cannot be converted to toxoids
Endotoxins are highly thermostable that are stable when heated for 30 minutes in a boing water. However, certain powerful oxidizing agents such as, superoxide, peroxide and sodium hypochlorite will degrade it.
Moreover, endotoxins are less potent and less specific in their action when compared to the classic exotoxins of bacteria because they do not act enzymatically.
Other toxin
Bacteria may also produce cytotoxins, neurotoxins, and enterotoxins that disrupt different bodily functions.
Mechanism of action:
Binding
Toxins bind to specific receptors (protein, glycoprotein, and glycolipid) on host cell, gaining entry into the cell.
Disruption
Toxins disrupt normal cellular process or overreaction of the immune system, often by interfering with several pathways such as signaling transduction, organelle function, homeostasis modification, and cytoskeleton alteration,
Cell damage
The disruption by toxins ultimately leads to cell death or dysfunction.
Bacterial Toxins and Human Health:
Bacterial protein toxins are secreted by certain bacteria that are responsible for mild to severe diseases in humans and animals.
- Gastrointestinal Illness
- Nervous System Impacts
- Tissue Damage
- Chronic migraine
- Urinary incontinence
- Cervical dystonia
- Immune Dysregulation
Diagnosis and Detection of Bacterial Toxins:
- Immunological assays
- Microbial cell culture
- Bioassay methods
- Molecular techniques
- Environmental Monitoring
- Symptom Recognition
Treatments:
There are several strategies for the treatment and prevention of bacterial toxin exposure.
- Supportive Care- Providing symptomatic relief and maintaining vital functions until the toxin is cleared.
- Antidotes- Specific antibodies or small molecules that can neutralize or block the action of toxins.
- Antitoxins- To neutralize the effects of the toxins.
- Decontamination- Removing toxins from the body or environment through washing, chemicals, or other means.
- Practices of good hygiene habit
- Surveillance Programs