Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bacterial toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens: It is a specific poisonous substance created by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens, which is a type of anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that grow without oxygen).
   • A cause of food poisoning: This toxin is responsible for a type of foodborne illness, leading to severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

Usage

• This term is used in medical, microbiological, and food safety contexts to identify the specific toxin and the illness it causes.
• It is typically used as a singular noun (e.g., ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The outbreak was traced back to food contamination with Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin. (The specific cause of the illness was identified as this toxin.)
  • Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin in the patient's stool sample. (The toxin was directly detected in a medical test.)

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Classification: In technical writing, the term is often part of a larger discussion on bacterial pathogenesis, toxin types (enterotoxins), or diagnostic criteria for food poisoning.
  • The gene encoding Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin is located on a plasmid.
• Public Health Reporting: Used in official reports and epidemiological investigations of foodborne disease outbreaks.
  • The health department's advisory highlighted the risks associated with Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin.

Variants and Related Words

• C. perfringens epsilon toxin: A common abbreviated form.
• Epsilon toxin: A shortened form used when the bacterial source is clear from context.
• Clostridium perfringens: The name of the bacterium that produces the toxin.
• Enterotoxin: A general class of toxins that affect the intestines; epsilon toxin is one type.
• Clostridial food poisoning: The illness caused by this and related toxins.

Synonyms

• Bacterial enterotoxin (specific to C. perfringens type D): A more technical synonym, as the epsilon toxin is primarily associated with type D strains.

Related Phrases

• Production of epsilon toxin: Refers to the process by which the bacteria create the poison.
• Epsilon toxin-mediated disease: Describes the illness specifically caused by this toxin's action in the body.

Notes

• The definition from the reference context accurately describes the toxin's role in causing food poisoning with a characteristic delay (8-22 hours) after eating contaminated food, and symptoms like abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It is not typically described as a "neurotoxin" (toxin affecting nerves); it is primarily an enterotoxin affecting the intestines. The Vietnamese reference mentioning "neurotoxin" may refer to a different toxin or a less common effect.

Noun

1. a bacterial toxin produced by clostridium perfringens; causes intense abdominal cramps and diarrhea that begins 8-22 hours after consumption of foods containing large numbers of these bacteria