University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A pathogen’s specific virulence factors determine the degree of tissue damage that occurs. Pathogens can produce exoenzymes or toxins, to damage tissue and colonize as they spread deeper into the body.

Bacterial Virulence Factors for Invasion

An exoenzyme is an enzyme that is secreted by a cell and functions outside of that cell. Exoenzymes help pathogens invade host cells. 

Exoenzymes

Pathogens are able to produce toxins to assist in invading tissues. The ability of a pathogen to produce toxins to cause damage to host cells is called **toxigenicity.** 

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