Erythrogenic toxin
Erythrogenic Toxin
Erythrogenic toxin (pronunciation: eh-rith-ro-jen-ic toxin) is a type of exotoxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes.
Etymology
The term "erythrogenic" is derived from the Greek words "erythros" meaning "red" and "genes" meaning "born of, produced by". The term "toxin" comes from the Greek word "toxikon" which means "poison". Thus, "erythrogenic toxin" refers to a poison that produces redness.
Function
Erythrogenic toxin is responsible for the characteristic red rash seen in scarlet fever, a disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. The toxin triggers an immune response that results in inflammation and redness of the skin.
Related Terms
- Exotoxin: A toxin secreted by bacteria which can cause damage to the host by destroying cells or disrupting normal cellular metabolism.
- Streptococcus pyogenes: A species of Gram-positive bacteria in the genus Streptococcus that is responsible for a wide range of diseases, including strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and necrotizing fasciitis.
- Scarlet fever: An infectious disease that causes a high fever and a red rash. It is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Erythrogenic toxin
- Wikipedia's article - Erythrogenic toxin
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