| Lipopolysaccharide |
Activates macrophages → widespread release of IL-1, IL-6 & TNF-α |
Bacteremia & septic shock |
| K1 capsular polysaccharide |
Prevents phagocytosis & complement-mediated lysis |
Neonatal meningitis |
| Shiga toxin |
Inactivates 60S ribosomal subunit, halting protein synthesis & causing cell death |
Gastroenteritis (bloody) |
| Heat-stable/heat-labile enterotoxins |
Promotes fluid & electrolyte secretion from intestinal epithelium |
Gastroenteritis (watery) |
| P-fimbriae |
Allows adhesion to uroepithelium |
Urinary tract infection |