Cytotoxin K
Cytotoxin K is a type of cytotoxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. It is known for its ability to cause cell damage and is implicated in foodborne illnesses.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
Cytotoxin K is a protein that belongs to the family of hemolysins, which are toxins that can lyse red blood cells. The primary function of Cytotoxin K is to disrupt cell membranes, leading to cell death. This cytotoxic activity is a key factor in the pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Cytotoxin K exerts its effects by binding to the cell membrane and forming pores. These pores disrupt the integrity of the cell membrane, causing an influx of ions and water, which ultimately leads to cell lysis. The toxin is particularly effective against epithelial cells and immune cells, contributing to the symptoms of food poisoning.
Role in Disease[edit | edit source]
Bacillus cereus is a well-known cause of foodborne illness, and Cytotoxin K is one of the major virulence factors. Ingestion of food contaminated with Bacillus cereus can lead to two types of illness: the emetic (vomiting) type and the diarrheal type. Cytotoxin K is primarily associated with the diarrheal type, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.
Detection and Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Detection of Cytotoxin K in food samples and clinical specimens is crucial for diagnosing Bacillus cereus-related food poisoning. Techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are commonly used for this purpose.
Prevention and Control[edit | edit source]
Preventing Bacillus cereus contamination in food involves proper food handling, storage, and cooking practices. Maintaining appropriate temperatures during food storage and reheating food thoroughly can reduce the risk of toxin production.
Related Toxins[edit | edit source]
Cytotoxin K is one of several toxins produced by Bacillus cereus. Other notable toxins include hemolysin BL, non-hemolytic enterotoxin, and cereulide. Each of these toxins contributes to the pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus in different ways.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Bacillus cereus
- Hemolysin
- Foodborne illness
- Enterotoxin
- Polymerase chain reaction
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
