Reservoir of Bacterial Exotoxin Genes in the Environment
Many bacteria produce secreted virulence factors called exotoxins. Exotoxins are often encoded by mobile genetic elements, including bacteriophage (phage). Phage can transfer genetic information to the bacteria they infect. When a phage transfers virulence genes to an avirulent bacterium, the bacter...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Hindawi Limited
2010-01-01
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Series: | International Journal of Microbiology |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/754368 |