1. Charakterystyka rodzaju. 2. Występowanie w środowisku. 3. Zakażenia człowieka. 4. Czynniki zjadliwości. 4.1. Toksyna błonicza. 4.2. Inne czynniki zjadliwości. 4.2.1. Czynniki adhezji. 4.2.2. Pobieranie żelaza. 4.2.3. Fosfolipaza D (Pld). 4.2.4. Proteazy serynowe. 4.2.5. Neuraminidaza H (NanH). 5. Podsumowanie

Abstract: C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis are closely related species possessing the ability to produce the lethal diphtheria toxin. The toxin is considered as the main virulence factor, but these species express also other virulence factors so nontoxigenic strains of the species are also able to cause serious infections. The interest in the virulence factors other then diphtheria toxin has been increasing and new factors and virulence mechanisms have been investigated. This paper is an overview of C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis infections in humans, presenting the mechanism of action of diphtheria toxin adhesive factors, iron uptake systems and other putative virulence factors.

1. Description of the genus. 2. Occurrence in the environment. 3. Human infections. 4. Virulence factors. 4.1. Diphtheria toxin. 4.2.  Other virulence factors. 4.2.1. Adhesive factors. 4.2.2. Iron utilization. 4.2.3. Phospholipase D (Pld). 4.2.4. Serine proteases. 4.2.5. Neuraminidase H (NanH). 5. Summary