EXOTOXINS
Both Gram + and Gram – bacteria produce exotoxins.
Exotoxins have very specific damaging effects which are
disease specific.
Exotoxins are secreted by living bacterium
In most cases, the pathogen must colonize to produce
enough toxin to cause damage.
Exotoxins can act locally, or they may be carried in the
bloodstream throughout the body, causing systemic
effects.
Exotoxins are proteins, therefore, the immune system
can generally produce protective antibodies.