Pathogens have virulence factors, substances made by pathogens that damage host tissue, or promote adherence and colonization that disrupts normal host cell function. Prevents the body's immune cells from getting to the bacteria to kill it. It is an enzyme which digests host DNA, killing host cells. Digests fibrin which is a product of the immune system to trap microbes so that the immune cells can find, kill, and remove them. Opposite of coagulase but both can be virulence factors.
Toxins are the most important virulence factors.
They directly damage host cells. Toxins are cellular poisons. Not poisonous to microbe, but toxins are poisons to some host tissue. A part of the LPS, -lipopolysacchride outer part of Gram negative bacteria's cell wall. Not a soluble substance.