To start with, we feel that we should explain why the book has been
entitled Cholera Toxins. In fact, the enterotoxin secreted by Vibrio
cholerae, which is p- marily responsible for causation of the disease,
is conventionally known as or referred to as cholera toxin, or CT. By
using the word "toxins" (in its plural form), we wanted to cover all of
the different types of toxins--and not just CT--produced by V. cholerae.
We could have used the title Toxins of Vibrio cholerae, but we believe
that Cholera Toxins is simpler and equally as expressive. However, due
to its relative importance, the story of CT covers most of this book.
Also, compared to all other toxins of V. cholerae, CT has been
investigated more extensively. This book was jointly written by us. It
is not a multiauthor book in which each expert writes one chapter. In
that respect our task is harder. On the other hand, it has given us the
unique opportunity to present the entire subject in the way that we
conceived it. Besides, our objective is to cater to the needs of not
only active research scientists but also students from different
disciplines--microbiology, molecular physiology and pharmacology, basic
medicines, etc. --and as such, we have attempted to present the subject
in a way that will be appreciated by general readers. Further, we have
provided some information that students and predoctoral researchers may
find useful at the end of the book.
