Effects of Toxins Produced By Staphylococcus Aureus

Effects of Toxins Produced By Staphylococcus Aureus

CYTOLYTIC TOXINS:

Alpha Toxin (a-Hemolysin)

This exhibits a wide range of activities including disruption of lysosomes, damages macrophages and platelets, and as well as producing tissue damage after the establishment of infection.

*Cytolysis means destruction of cell; Hemolysis means breakdown of a red blood cell; Lysosomes are cellular organelles responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.

Beta Toxin (Staphylococcal Sphingomyelinase)

B-toxin has the ability to produce a “hot-cold” lysis.  For example, if incubation temperature is increased, the hemolytic activity also increases; this toxin also leads to sphingomyelin degradation that leads to hemolysis when the cells are chilled.

Delta Toxin

This is a relatively active toxin whose detergent-like properties produce damaging effects on cell membranes.

Gamma Toxin

Its precise mode of action is unknown but it is said to be essential for hemolysis and toxicity.

Leukocidin

This toxin attacks polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages and induce cytolysis.

ENTEROTOXINS

These toxins have the ability to induce vomiting and diarrhea in humans after oral administration. The vomiting receptor site for this toxin is the abdominal viscera; from there the sensory stimulus reaches the vomiting center through the vagus and sympathetic nerves.

The diarrhea effect has been attributed to the inhibition of water absorption from the lumen of the intestine and to increased transmucosal fluid flux into the lumen.

EXFOLIATIVE TOXINS

They cause lysis of the intracellular attachment between cells of the epidermis.

TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME TOXIN-1

Toxic shock syndrome, a severe and fatal disorder characterized by multiple organ dysfunction, is associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection.