Virulence factors of Clostridium difficile

Rev Infect Dis. 1990 Jan-Feb:12 Suppl 2:S185-91. doi: 10.1093/clinids/12.supplement_2.s185.

Abstract

In addition to the two major toxins of Clostridium difficile--toxins A and B, which represent the major virulence factors--a number of other putative virulence factors have been described. These factors include fimbriae and the ability to associate with gut cells/mucus, the production of a capsule, the secretion of a range of hydrolytic enzymes, the production of other toxins (such as an actin-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase by some strains), and the controversial possibility of the production of a second enterotoxin. The extent to which these additional putative virulence factors are involved in the pathogenesis of C. difficile-related gut disease remains to be elucidated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
  • Clostridium / enzymology
  • Clostridium / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial