∞ generated and posted on 2016.03.18 ∞
White blood cell-killing bacterial exotoxins.
More specifically, leukocidins – killers of leukocytes – are types of cytotoxins, that is, toxins which kill eukaryotic cells. They achieve this killing by forming protein channels in plasma membranes. Among the targets of leukocidins are macrophages.
Leukocidin production is associated with infections by species of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.