Bacterial Toxins

BACTERIAL TOXINS, are divided into two groups. 1. Toxins contained in the nutrient medium on which bacteria were grown. They can be separated from bacteria by precipitating the bacteria through strong centrifugation or filtering through fine-porous material (unglazed porcelain or infusorial earth, from which so-called filter candles of the Chamberland, Berkefeld, and other systems are made). These toxins are called exotoxins. They have a specific action and the properties of antigens (see Exotoxins), because when animals are immunized, their serum acquires antitoxic properties. 2. Toxins that are part of the bacterial protoplasm, with which they are closely associated and from which they pass into solution only upon destruction of the bacterial body. They are called endotoxins, are non-specific, and do not have the properties of antigens (see Endotoxins), because when immunized, anti-endotoxins are not produced. Finally, some bacteria release substances that are toxic to red or white blood cells. These are hemolysins (not to be confused with hemolysins that arise in the animal body during immunization with red blood corpuscles) and leucocidins, produced by staphylococci, streptococci, and some other bacteria.