Epsilon toxin

Clostridium perfringens Epsilon toxin producing (Agent G)... 

Clostridium perfringens, Epsilon Toxin Producing C17-A008... 

Category B agents There are eleven Category B agents as follows brucellosis, epsilon toxin (clostridium perfringens), glanders, melioidosis, psittacosis, Q fever, ricin toxin, staphylococcus enterotoxin B, typhus fever, viral encephalitis, and water safety threats. 

Epsilon toxin from Clostridium perfringens (CDC Category B) Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) (CDC Category B) Diphtheria toxin Tetanus toxin Shigatoxin (veratoxin)... 

Clostridium perfringens has at least six serotypes and produces over 20 toxins. Epsilon toxin, along with alpha, beta, and iota toxins, is dermonecrotic and lethal. It is produced by some strains of type B and especially type D as a protoxin that is then converted to an active, mature, heat-labile toxin. The resulting toxin binds to cell membranes and forms a membrane complex that promotes the efflux of intracellular potassium. Because the usual route of entry is the gastrointestinal tract, the resulting pathology is an increase in intestinal permeability that enhances absorption of more toxin and ensures systemic toxemia. In animals, increased vascular permeability leads to enterotoxemia, pulpy kidney , altered hepatic function, and cerebral edema and necrosis. 

Epsilon toxin of clostridium perfringens, however, has been identified as a possible bioweapon... 

Note there is no available documentation on the effect of epsilon toxin on humans. It is produced by type b and type d strains of C. perfringens, which uncommonly infect humans, but can cause disease in animals this is the basis for concern that this substance could be used as a biochemical weapon involving the body systems listed. A. 

N. J. Mantis, Vaccines against the category B toxins Staphylococcal enterotoxin B, epsilon toxin and ricin, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 57, 2005, 1424-39. 

Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin Bluetongue virus (exotic)... 

Botulism Clostridium Epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens ... 

Epsilon toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens. The toxin is mainly responsible for fatal livestock disease, although little is known about its effects on humans. It is thought to be one of the most potent biotoxins after botulism. The toxin is inactive until the host organism inadvertently activates it. 

Epsilon toxin would most likely be developed into an aerosolised form for deliberate airborne release. 

Natural exposure to Epsilon toxin usually occurs via ingestion of the bacteria with subsequent release of the toxin in the gastrointestinal tract. It may also cause illness directly by inhalation. There is no person-to-person spread. 

Symptoms and signs following Epsilon toxin exposure vary depending upon the route and result in three clinical forms gastrointestinal, inhalational and systemic. These are described in Table 4.27. Systemic dissemination may occur following either ingestion or inhalation of the toxin. 

Table 4.27 The clinical forms of Epsilon toxin illness ...

Treatment for Epsilon toxin illness is supportive in all cases. Critical care management may be required for some cases of inhalational or... 

No precise human mortality figures are available for the inhalational or systemic forms of the disease. Gastrointestinal Epsilon toxin iUness is rarely fatal, lasting no more than 3 days. No long-term complications are reported. 

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