1.

Organism
o Exotoxin: Almost all Gram-positive
o Endotoxin: Almost all Gram-negative

2. Location
o Exotoxin: Extracellular, excreted by living organisms
o Endotoxin: Part of pathogen cell wall, released when cell dies

3. Chemistry
o Exotoxin: Polypeptide
o Endotoxin: Lipopolysaccharide complex

4. Stability
o Exotoxin: Unstable; denatured above 60 degrees C
o Endotoxin: Stable; can withstand 60 degrees C for hours

5. Toxicity
o Exotoxin: Among the most powerful toxins known (100 to 1 million
times more lethal than strychnine)
o Endotoxin: Weak, but fatal in high doses

6. Effects

o Exotoxin: Highly specific, several types

o Endotoxin: Nonspecific; local reactions, such as fever, aches, and
possible shock

7. Fever production
o Exotoxin: No
o Endotoxin: Yes, rapid rise to very high fever

8. Usefulness as antigen
o Exotoxin: Very good, long-lasting immunity confered
o Endotoxin: Weak, no immunity conferred

9. Conversion to toxoid form

o Exotoxin: Yes, by chemical treatment
o Endotoxin: No

10.Lethal dose
o Exotoxin: Small
o Endotoxin: Large

11. Typical Infections Caused

o Exotoxins: Botulism, gas gangrene, etanus, diptheria, cholera, plague,

scarlet fever, staphylococcal food poisening
o Endotoxins: Salmonellosis, typhoid fever, tularemia, meningococcal
meningitis, endotoxic shock

Hypoxic hypoxia: This is the form we've talked most about

in the Respiratory section. In this form of hypoxia, the PaO2 is
below normal because either the alveolar PO2 is reduced (e.g
environmental reasons such as altitude) or the blood is unable
to equilibrate fully with the alveolar air (e.g. as would occur in
lung diseases with diffusion impairments such as emphysema
or fibrosis).
Anemic hypoxia: In this form of hypoxia, the lungs are in
perfect working condition, but the oxygen carrying capacity of
the blood has been reduced. As the name implies, anemia is a
very effective way of producing anemic hypoxia. Carbon
Monoxide produces anemic hypoxia - because it binds to the
Hb with such high affinity, preventing oxygen from binding, it
reduces the oxygen carrying-capacity of the blood. The tissues
do not get sufficient oxygen to maintain their metabolic needs
because the blood is not carrying it.

 Circulatory hypoxia: In this form of hypoxia the lungs are

working just fine and the blood can carry sufficient oxygen.
However, the tissue is not receiving sufficient oxygen because
the heart cannot pump the blood to the tissue (or the arteries
leading to the tissue have been blocked by clots etc...). Sickle
cell anemia can lead to circulatory hypoxia as the cells sickle in
the blood vessels and block them. (Yes - It also produces an
anemic hypoxia as the sickled blood cells are removed from
circulation.)
Histotoxic hypoxia: Histotoxic literally means that the cells
have been poisoned. In this form of hypoxia, there is no
problem getting the oxygen to the tissue - the lungs, blood
and circulatory system are all working just fine. However, the
tissue is unable to use the oxygen. Cyanide leads to
histotoxic hypoxia by poisoning the systems that utilize oxygen
to create energy and preventing them from using the oxygen.
Even though there is plenty of oxygen there, the cells
experience a lack of oxygen and are affected as if there was
too little/no oxygen available.