What is the difference between Endotoxins and Exotoxins?

Endotoxins are bacterial toxins consisting of lipids, and exotoxins are comprised of lipids and proteins. Endotoxins are a toxin released by gram bacteria. Endotoxins are cell-bound are produced only when the cell breaks down. Endotoxins are typically recreated by growing bacteria due to specific antibiotics or the action of digestion. Endotoxins demonstrate poor antigenicity.

Exotoxins are circulated extracellularly within the development of the organism. Exotoxins are contagious toxins that spread from the focus of infection together parts of the body and damage. They are soluble proteins that act as enzymes. Exotoxins are highly potent and can cause extreme harm to the host.

Endotoxins and Exotoxins are two types of toxins released to cause infections by bacteria. Endotoxins are substances released by bacteria known as gram bacteria. Another name for endotoxins is lipopolysaccharides. Also, the two components of endotoxins are lipid A and hetero-polysaccharide. Exotoxins, on the other hand, are also toxins released by bacteria extracellularly. The chemical compositions of exotoxins are mainly proteins. Exotoxins can be contagious. They can easily spread from the infected area to other areas of the body. The enzymes in endotoxins are IgA / IgG proteases, Fibrolysin, and catalase. In contrast, the enzymes in exotoxins are protease, Neuraminidase, Hyaluronidase, Phospholipase A, Collagenase. The secretion of endotoxins is through the cell membrane of the gram bacteria. However, the secretion of exotoxins is by gram bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria. Unlike endotoxins that can cause fever in hosts, exotoxins cannot cause fever in hosts. Endotoxins are less toxic than exotoxins.

When you say endotoxins, you are referring to the part of the cell that you can find in the outer membrane. This type of toxin is normally released at the cell lysis. Exotoxins, on the other hand, are normally released within the cell. You will find them active in Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Take note that endotoxins will become active only in gram-negative bacteria. Exotoxins are considered to be worse than endotoxins in the sense that they can be very lethal. It only takes small quantities of this in order to do some damage. It is a good thing that there are some vaccines that are available right now that are meant to fight this type of toxin.