Virulence factors of Clostridium difficile.
In addition to the two major toxins of Clostridium difficile--toxins A and B, which represent the major virulence factors--a number of other putative virulence factors have been described. These factors include fimbriae and the ability to associate with gut cells/mucus, the production of a capsule, the secretion of a range of hydrolytic enzymes, the production of other toxins (such as an actin-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase by some strains), and the controversial possibility of the production of a second enterotoxin. The extent to which these additional putative virulence factors are involved in the pathogenesis of C. difficile-related gut disease remains to be elucidated.
Borriello
S P
SP
Microbial Pathogenicity Research Group, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, United Kingdom.
Davies
H A
HA
Kamiya
S
S
Reed
P J
PJ
Seddon
S
S
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D003013:Clostridium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014774:Virulence
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial