in secreting toxins in infections -- causing ulcers, whooping cough, or severe forms of...?

Does " in secreting toxins in infections -- causing ulcers, whooping cough, or severe forms of pneumonia such as Legionnaires' disease" mean " in secreting toxins in infections -- because the toxins cause ulcers, whooping cough, or severe forms of pneumonia such as Legionnaires' disease"

Context:

The study, published today in Nature, reveals the mechanism of bacterial type IV secretion, which bacteria use to move substances across their cell wall. As type IV secretion can distribute genetic material between bacteria, notably antibiotic resistance genes, the mechanism is directly responsible for the spread of antibiotic resistance in hospital settings. It also plays a crucial role in secreting toxins in infections -- causing ulcers, whooping cough, or severe forms of pneumonia such as Legionnaires' disease.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140309150544.htm