diphteriatoksiinin

Diphtheria toxin is a protein produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria. This toxin is a major virulence factor and is responsible for the characteristic symptoms of the disease. It is a potent exotoxin that is secreted by the bacteria when they infect a host. The toxin works by inhibiting protein synthesis in susceptible cells. It enters cells and cleaves a specific component of the ribosome, effectively halting the production of essential proteins. This disruption leads to cell death, particularly affecting tissues in the throat and respiratory tract, where it can form a pseudomembrane that obstructs breathing. The toxin also enters the bloodstream and can affect distant organs, including the heart and nervous system, leading to serious complications. Immunity to diphtheria is primarily achieved through vaccination, which introduces inactivated diphtheria toxin (toxoid) into the body. This toxoid stimulates an immune response that produces antibodies capable of neutralizing the active toxin, thus preventing severe illness. The development and use of the diphtheria toxoid vaccine have dramatically reduced the incidence and mortality of diphtheria worldwide.