TOXIN PRODUCTION BY CAMPYLOBACTER SPP

Of all the virulence factors that were proposed for Campylobacter jeju ni and related species to cause disease in humans the discovery of tox in production was the most promising but led to a rather confusing and even disappointing stream of data. The discussion of whether proteina ceous exotoxins are relevant in disease remains open. One important re ason for this lack of consensus is the anecdotal nature of the literat ure reports. To provide a basis for an unbiased opinion, this review c ompiles all described exotoxins, compares their reported properties, a nd provides a summary of animal model studies and clinical data. The t oxins are divided into enterotoxins and cytotoxins and are sorted acco rding to their biochemical properties. Since many Campylobacter toxins have been compared with toxin of other species, some key examples of the latter are also discussed. Future directions of toxin research tha t appear promising are defined.