Clostridium difficile toxin A is an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium difficile. It primarily causes inflammation and increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa, leading to diarrhea and colitis.
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Toxin A is one of the main virulence factors of Clostridium difficile, contributing to its pathogenicity.
It acts by disrupting the cytoskeleton of intestinal epithelial cells, causing cell death and inflammation.
Toxin A is known to increase fluid secretion into the intestine, resulting in watery diarrhea.
The presence of both toxin A and B is often used as a diagnostic indicator for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
Antibiotic use, particularly broad-spectrum antibiotics, can disrupt normal gut flora making individuals more susceptible to infection by C. difficile.
Review Questions
What role does Clostridium difficile toxin A play in gastrointestinal infections?
How does toxin A affect intestinal epithelial cells?
Why are broad-spectrum antibiotics a risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection?
Related terms
Clostridium difficile: A gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and colitis.
Exotoxin: A toxin released by bacteria into the surrounding environment.
Colitis: Inflammation of the colon often associated with infections or autoimmune reactions.