Final answer:
Bacillus anthracis produces two primary exotoxins: lethal toxin (LeTX) consisting of protective antigen and lethal factor, and edema toxin (EdTX) made up of protective antigen and edema factor. Although not produced by B. anthracis, superantigens are a third class of exotoxins causing severe immune responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium that causes anthrax, which can manifest in various forms such as cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational anthrax. The virulence of B. anthracis is largely attributed to its ability to produce two primary binary exotoxins. The first exotoxin is the lethal toxin (LeTX), which is comprised of the protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF). The second exotoxin is known as the edema toxin (EdTX) and is formed by a combination of protective antigen (PA) and edema factor (EF). Although not explicitly classified within the information provided, a third class of exotoxins known as superantigens contains toxins that cause an excessive immune response, leading to what is commonly referred to as a cytokine storm, which can result in life-threatening conditions.
These exotoxins contribute to the harmful effects seen in anthrax, such as tissue damage, edema, and immune system disruption. The binary nature of the toxins involves two components, one part facilitating entry into the host cell (PA) and the other responsible for the toxic effect (LF or EF). The toxins disrupt normal cellular function by different mechanisms, with LeTX leading to cell death and EdTX causing a massive immune response, both contributing to the disease pathogenesis.