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Definition

enterotoxin

(ent‵ĕ-rō-tok'sin )

[ entero- + toxin ]

  1. A toxin produced in or originating in the intestinal contents.
  2. An exotoxin specific for the cells of the intestinal mucosa.
  3. An exotoxin produced by certain species of bacteria that causes various diseases, including food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.

    SEE: exotoxin.

heat-labile e.

ABBR: LT

A type of labile toxin that is found in Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus and is inactivated at high temperatures. SYN: heat-labile toxin.

SEE: heat-labile.

heat-stable e.

ABBR: ST

Any of the secretory peptides that are produced by some bacterial strains (such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli) are generally toxic, esp. to infants and travelers. SYN: heat-stable toxin.

SEE: enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; heat-stable.