Shiga toxins are a family of related toxins with two major groups, Stx1 and Stx2, expressed by genes considered to be part of the genome of lambdoid prophages. The toxins are named after Kiyoshi Shiga, who first described the bacterial origin of dysentery caused by Shigella dysenteriae.

What does Shiga toxin do to the body?

Shiga toxins act to inhibit protein synthesis within target cells by a mechanism similar to that of the infamous plant toxin ricin.

What does Shiga toxin cause?

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea in infected people. In rare cases, the same bacterium can also cause a kidney disease known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. The most well known member of this group of bacteria is E. coli O157:H7.