Effects of diphtheria toxin and other exotoxins on oxidant generation by human and murine phagocytes.

Bacterial exotoxins such as diphtheria toxin (D.T.), staphylococcal alpha toxin and Leucocidin can powerfully activate granulocytes and macrophages as detected by production of chemiluminescence in presence of Luminol. Production of superoxide by granulocytes and of prostaglandin E2 in macrophages is also stimulated by D.T. In contrast with the known resistance of rodent parenchymal cells to the diphtheria toxin, human and rodent leucocytes have similar sensitivities to D.T.