Review
Version 2
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Diphtheria and the AB Toxin Group: a History and the Need for New Toxin Therapeutics
Version 1
: Received: 23 February 2023 / Approved: 24 February 2023 / Online: 24 February 2023 (03:17:55 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 20 June 2023 / Approved: 20 June 2023 / Online: 20 June 2023 (07:24:59 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 20 June 2023 / Approved: 20 June 2023 / Online: 20 June 2023 (07:24:59 CEST)
How to cite: Pembroke, B. Diphtheria and the AB Toxin Group: a History and the Need for New Toxin Therapeutics. Preprints 2023, 2023020416. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0416.v2 Pembroke, B. Diphtheria and the AB Toxin Group: a History and the Need for New Toxin Therapeutics. Preprints 2023, 2023020416. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0416.v2
Abstract
AB toxins have historically been associated with significant morbidity, mortality through infections such as botulinum, anthrax, cholera, and diphtheria. These AB toxin-mediated diseases remain prevalent in low and middle income countries, with intermittent outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) or whooping cough by Bordetella pertussis in high-income countries. These reports warrant an investigation to better understand the distinct characteristics of AB toxins derived from different pathogens. As toxigenic pathogens broaden their scope and diversity, it amplifies the complexity of the problems posed by their AB toxins. Here, we discuss the history, structure and characteristics of key AB toxins, and report on historical and ongoing research on these toxins. We also explore research avenues that hold great promise in potentially improving clinical management of toxin-mediated diseases in the future.
Keywords
AB toxin; diphtheria; botulinum; tetanus; anthrax; cholera; pertussis; shiga toxin; vaccines
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Immunology and Microbiology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Commenter: Billy Pembroke
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