Difference between Bacterial Endotoxin and Exotoxin – Comparison Table

Compare Exotoxin and Endotoxin

Endotoxins vs Exotoxins
(Difference between Bacterial Endotoxin and Exotoxin)

Microbial toxins are noxious substances produced by the microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in order to promote their pathogenicity and disease-causing process. The microbial toxins usually destroy the host tissue and they facilitate the infection by disabling the host immune system. A disease that results from a specific toxin is denoted as ‘Intoxication’. A toxin is a substance that alters the normal metabolism of host cells with deleterious effects. The term ‘Toxemia’ refers to the condition caused by the toxins that have entered the bloodstream of the host.

The toxins produced by bacteria are categorized into two main categories: (1) Endotoxins and (2) Exotoxins.

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(1). Endotoxins: They are also called as Lipopolysaccharides or LPS. LPS are present on the outer membrane of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria that, under certain circumstances, become toxic to specific hosts. Lipopolysaccharides are called endotoxins because they are bound to the bacterium and they are released only when the bacterial cells lyse.

Lipopolysaccharides Toxin

(2). Exotoxins: They are heat labile, proteinaceous toxic substances that are released by some bacteria into the surrounding. Most of the exotoxins are produced by Gram-positive bacteria. Some Gram-negative bacteria can also produce exotoxins. Exotoxins are among the most lethal and toxic substances known; they are toxic even in nanogram-per-kilogram concentrations. Deadly pathogenic conditions like Botulism, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Cholera, Anthrax, Pertussis etc. are caused by bacterial exotoxins.

Examples of Exotoxins

The following table summarizes the Differences between Bacterial Endotoxins and Exotoxins.

Difference between Bacterial Endotoxin and Exotoxin

Sl. No.EndotoxinExotoxin
1Endotoxins are Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)Exotoxins are proteins
2Endotoxins are not secreted by the bacterium, they remain attached to the bacterial cellExotoxins are actively secreted into the external medium by the bacterial cells
3Cell lysis is required for the release of endotoxinsCell lysis is not required for the release of exotoxins
4Produced by Gram-negative bacteriaProduced usually by Gram-positive bacteria. (some by Gram-negative bacteria)
5The genes for the production of endotoxin are located on bacterial chromosomeThe genes for the production of exotoxins are located on plasmids of bacteriophage genome
6Endotoxins are heat stableExotoxins are heat labile
7Endotoxins stay active even at 100oCExotoxins usually destroyed beyond 60oC
8Endotoxins mediate toxicity in the host through interleukins and Tumor Necrosis FactorExotoxins mediate toxicity in the host by mostly enzyme-like mechanism.
9The effects of endotoxins is non-specificThe effects of exotoxins is specific
10Endotoxins do not have any affinity towards specific tissues.Exotoxins shows affinity towards specific tissues of the host
11Usually no specific receptors for the entry endotoxins.Exotoxins usually use specific receptors for entering into the host cell
12Endotoxins are lethal only in large quantitiesExotoxins are lethal in very minute quantities (lethal even in ng/kg)
13Endotoxins are poorly antigenic in natureExotoxins are highly antigenic in nature
14Endotoxins cannot be neutralized by antibodiesExotoxins can be neutralized by antibodies
15No effective vaccines are available against endotoxinsEffective vaccines are available against exotoxins
16Endotoxins are not converted to toxoids*Exotoxins are converted to toxoids
17Produce fever in hostUsually, do not produce fever
18Diseases caused by endotoxin: Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, meningococcemiaDisease caused by exotoxin: Botulism, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Cholera, Anthrax, Pertussis

*Toxoids: They are the chemically modified toxin from a pathogenic microorganism. Toxoids are no longer toxic but are still antigenic and thus they can be used as a vaccine.

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