How does production of endotoxins contributes to the virulence of bacteria?!
Question:
How does production of endotoxins contributes to the virulence of bacteria?
Answers:
the endotoxin is not actually produced (in the sense it is made to be secreted) it's a part of gram neg bacterial wall and it is made out of some sugars and fats. the way it makes a bacteria more virulente is this: when a bacteria die sthe wall ruptures causing bits of it (the endotoxin) to get in tissues or in your blood stream. it has really toxic effect on cells disrupting their metabolism and structure. it is also responsable for chemotactism - it "signales" your imune cells that there is an infection around and causes them to become hyperreactive, more vigilent and multiply. the endotoxin is sometimes used in controled dosage to boost up you immunity. ex: when flu season is around i give my patients some shots with that drug and it make sthem less susceptible to getting infected by teh flu virus ...
hope it helps!