Nomenclature
There are many terms that microbiologists use to describe Shiga toxin and differentiate between different forms of it. Many of these terms are used interchangeably.
- Shiga toxin (Stx) - true Shiga toxin is produced by Shigella dysenteriae.
- Shiga-like toxin 1 and 2 (SLT-1 and 2 or Stx-1 and 2) - the Shiga toxins produced by some E. coli strains. Stx-1 differs from Stx by only 1 amino acid. Stx-2 shares 56% sequence homology with Stx-1.
- Cytotoxins - an archaic denotation for Stx, used in a broad sense.
- Verocytotoxins/verotoxins - a seldom used term for Stx, from the hypersensitivity of Vero cells to Stx.
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