Microbial toxins can be broadly classified into exotoxins and endotoxins:
Exotoxins: These are toxic proteins secreted by bacteria, typically having specific targets within the host. Examples include botulinum toxin and cholera toxin. Endotoxins: These are components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, released upon cell lysis. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are a common example.
