Heberden's nodes

Heat-labile enterotoxin (often abbreviated as LT) is a type of enterotoxin produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli bacteria. It is one of the main virulence factors in E. coli pathogenesis, particularly in the case of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), which is a major cause of diarrhea in humans, especially in developing countries.

Structure and Function

The heat-labile enterotoxin is a complex molecule composed of one A subunit and five B subunits. The A subunit is responsible for the toxic activity, while the B subunits are involved in binding to the host cell. The toxin acts by binding to the GM1 ganglioside receptor on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells, leading to an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP levels and ultimately causing diarrhea.

Clinical Significance

Heat-labile enterotoxin is a major cause of traveler's diarrhea, a common condition affecting individuals traveling to developing countries. It is also a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children in these countries. The toxin is heat-labile, meaning it can be inactivated by heat, which has implications for food safety and the prevention of ETEC infection.

Research and Vaccine Development

Due to its significant role in ETEC pathogenesis, heat-labile enterotoxin has been the focus of extensive research. It has been used as a model for studying bacterial toxin structure and function, and has also been explored as a potential target for vaccine development. Several experimental vaccines targeting the toxin are currently in development, with the aim of reducing the global burden of ETEC disease.

See Also

• Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
• Enterotoxin
• Traveler's diarrhea

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