Emerging insights into the biology of typhoid toxin

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2017 Feb:35:70-77. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.01.012. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Abstract

Typhoid toxin is a unique A2B5 exotoxin and an important virulence factor for Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever. In the decade since its initial discovery, great strides have been made in deciphering the unusual biological program of this toxin, which is fundamentally different from related toxins in many ways. Purified typhoid toxin administered to laboratory animals causes many of the symptoms of typhoid fever, suggesting that typhoid toxin is a central factor in this disease. Further advances in understanding the biology of this toxin will help guide the development of badly needed diagnostics and therapeutic interventions that target this toxin to detect, prevent or treat typhoid fever.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Exotoxins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Salmonella typhi / metabolism
  • Salmonella typhi / pathogenicity*
  • Typhoid Fever / microbiology
  • Typhoid Fever / physiopathology
  • Typhoid Fever / prevention & control
  • Typhoid Fever / therapy
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Exotoxins
  • Virulence Factors