Which type of toxin is associated with Clostridium difficile?

Clostridium difficile primarily produces exotoxins, which are toxic substances secreted by bacteria into their surroundings. These toxins can cause significant gastrointestinal damage and are primarily responsible for the symptoms associated with C. difficile infections, such as diarrhea and colitis.

Exotoxins are typically proteins that can act at a distance from the site of infection and can induce a strong immune response. In the case of C. difficile, the main toxins involved are toxin A (an enterotoxin) and toxin B (a cytotoxin), both of which disrupt intestinal epithelial cells and can lead to inflammation and tissue damage.

Understanding the nature of these toxins is crucial in clinical microbiology and infectious disease management, as it informs treatment options and helps in the development of therapeutic interventions, such as monoclonal antibodies targeting these toxins.