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Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin

Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin

9.9
A strong poison made by bacteria that causes severe stomach cramps and diarrhea after people eat contaminated food
  • noun
  • /klɒsˈtrɪdiəm pərˈfrɪndʒənz ˈɛpsɪlɒn ˈtɒksɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : toxina épsilon de Clostridium perfringens
  • Food poisoning caused by Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin can result in severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Examples

  • Scientists are studying how Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin affects the intestines of animals and humans.

  • Many foodborne illnesses are linked to Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin.

  • After the outbreak, tests confirmed the presence of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin in several food samples.

  • The Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin can be severe.

  • Food poisoning caused by Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin can result in severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.

  • After the outbreak, tests confirmed the presence of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin in several food samples.

  • Many foodborne illnesses are linked to Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin.

Synonyms

epsilon toxin
vsClostridium perfringens epsilon toxin
  • Specialized
9.9

A bacterial poison that causes severe stomach pain and diarrhea after eating contaminated food

has identical meaning but is the longer scientific name used in formal contexts

Surface Forms

Morphology

clostridium + perfringens + epsilon + toxin

The phrase is compositionally built: 'toxin' (toxic substance) produced by the bacterium named 'Clostridium perfringens', with 'epsilon' marking a specific subtype; a learner who knows these constituents can infer it is a bacterial toxin of the epsilon type. However, 'perfringens' is a Latin species epithet and 'epsilon' functions as a technical subtype label that carry little everyday meaning for a B1 learner, so the full clinical implications remain only partially predictable.

Etymology

Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin is named for the bacterium that makes it: the microbe Clostridium perfringens produces a harmful protein called a toxin, and epsilon (a Greek letter) marks this particular 'type'. So the name tells you it is a dangerous substance from that bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and belly cramps when contaminated food is eaten.