Production and release of toxins A and B by Clostridium difficile.
The production and release of toxins A and B by Clostridium difficile during in-vitro culture was investigated. Cell-associated toxin A was detected by immunoelectrophoresis of bacterial extracts released by ultrasonication and by fluorescent antibody labelling of whole cells. Extracellular toxin A was detected by immunoelectrophoresis and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; extracellular toxin B was detected by cytotoxin assay. Both toxins A and B were produced and released during the decline phase of the bacterial growth cycle. The possible significance of these results in relation to the pathogenesis of pseudomembranous colitis is discussed.
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003013:Clostridium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003603:Cytotoxins; C031815:toxB protein, Clostridium difficile