Status of bacterial toxins and their nomenclature: need for discipline and clarity of expression.

INTRODUCTION. .... .................................................. 95 NOMENCLATURE OF Toxis 96 Different Bases of Nomenclature .... ................................. 97 Nomenclature by Anatomical Location ........ ......................... 97 Nomenclature by Mode or Site of Action .... .......................... 98 Nomenclature by Structure of the Toxin Molecule........................ 100 General categories based on molecular structure........................ 100 Theoretical consideration of three classes of toxins and means available for their differentiation.............................................. 100 Examples of "Problem" Toxins .......... ............................. 102 Diphtheria toxin .................................................. 102 Botulinum toxin ................................................ 102 Plague murine toxin ............................................... 103 Anthrax toxin .................................................... 103 Staphylococcal leucocidin ........................................ 104 ToxoIDs. 104 SYMBOLIC NOTATION FOR IDENTIFICATION OFTOXINS 105 Capital Letter Notation......................................... 105 Greek LetterNotation. 105 Symbolic Notation for Multicomponent Toxins 106 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................... 107 LrrERATURE CrmE. ......... .......................... 107