Clostridium perfringens beta toxin and Clostridium septicum alpha toxin: their mechanisms and possible role in pathogenesis

The Clostridium septicum alpha toxin and the Clostridium perfringens beta t oxin are examples of pore-forming toxins that exhibit several different fea tures. The cell types that are targeted by these toxins reflect the effect these toxins have on the host during infection with either organism. Alpha toxin elicits a rapid shock-like syndrome, whereas beta toxin appears to in duce a variety of neurological effects. The effects of the purified toxins appear to mimic some of the features of the animal and human diseases cause d by C. septicum and C. perfringens. This review, examines the current stat e of knowledge for the cytolytic mechanism, role in pathogenesis and struct ure of these two toxins. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .