bacterial toxin

A bacterial toxin is a poisonous substance secreted by certain bacteria. These toxins are among the most potent poisons known and are the active agents in diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and botulism. Bacteria can cause disease by secreting toxins, producing them internally, or by triggering an immune response to their properties. Microbial toxins are produced by bacteria, blue-green algae, and other microorganisms. Exotoxins, a type of bacterial toxin, are generally poisonous proteins produced by gram-positive bacteria and are antigenic, meaning they stimulate antibody formation. In contrast, endotoxins are complexes of proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids derived from the bacterial cell wall. Some bacterial toxins, like the one produced by Clostridium botulinum, can cause severe illness, such as botulism, when ingested through contaminated food.12345