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exotoxin (ek´so-tok″sin)   a potent toxin formed and excreted by the bacterial cell and found free in the surrounding medium; exotoxins are the most poisonous substances known. They are protein in nature and heat labile, and are detoxified with retention of antigenicity by treatment with formaldehyde. Bacteria of the genus Clostridium are the most frequent producers of exotoxins; diphtheria, botulism, and tetanus are all caused by such toxins. adj., ex´otoxic., adj.




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