The Open Toxinology Journal

2010, 3 : 43-47
Published online 2010 March 10. DOI: 10.2174/1875414701003010043
Publisher ID: TOTNJ-3-43

Iota Toxin, S Toxin and CDT: Members of the Same Class of Clostridial Binary Toxins in Feces of Humans and Other Animals

Robert J. Carman , Adam L. Stevens , Christopher W. Genheimer and Tracy D. Wilkins
Central Agricultural Office, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, Tábornok u. 2, H-1149 Budapest, Hungary.

ABSTRACT

Some strains of Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium perfringens produce binary toxins known respectively as iota toxin, S toxin and CDT. Each toxin consists of two unlinked polypeptides (e.g. CDTa and CDTb) that only together have biological activity. Taking an historical perspective, we review the development and early use of assays employing the specific neutralization of a biological activity for the detection and quantification of binary toxin. The survey moves on to more recent immunological assays and culminates with a discussion of the relevance of binary toxin, especially CDT, in feces.

Keywords:

Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium spiroforme, iota, CDT, binary toxin, enterotoxin, diarrhea..