Which of the following is a toxin produced by prophage-coded bacteria?

Prophage-coded bacteria can produce specific toxins as a result of the genetic material from a bacteriophage being integrated into the bacterial genome. Shiga-like toxin, produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli, is a prime example of this phenomenon. This toxin interferes with protein synthesis in host cells and can cause severe illness, including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

The reason Shiga-like toxin is linked to prophage coding is that the genes responsible for its production are carried by a lysogenic bacteriophage that becomes integrated into the bacterial chromosome. In this way, the presence of the prophage is crucial for the expression of the toxin, showcasing how bacteriophages can contribute to the pathogenicity of bacterial strains.

In contrast, the other types of toxins listed do not typically arise from prophage integration. Endotoxins are structural components of the bacterial cell wall, specifically lipid A from Gram-negative bacteria, and are released when the bacteria die. Exotoxins are generally secreted by living bacteria into their environment and are not specifically linked to prophages. Neurotoxins, such as those produced by Clostridium botulinum, are also a class of exotoxins