Mitogenic factors from group G streptococci associated with scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

A P Assimacopoulos; J A Stoehr; P M Schlievert

doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-1825-3_27

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Mitogenic factors from group G streptococci associated with scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

Book chapter

Peer reviewed

Mitogenic factors from group G streptococci associated with scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

A P Assimacopoulos, J A Stoehr and P M Schlievert

Streptococci and the Host, Vol.418, pp.109-114

Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 418, Springer

1997

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-1825-3_27

PMID: 9331611

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Abstract

Since 1987, over 30 group G streptococcus (GGS) clinical isolates have been referred to our laboratory and 3 have been investigated for production of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins(SPEs) A, B, and C. One isolate was associated with scarlet fever and two others with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome(STSS). All three isolates were grown in culture and shown not to produce SPEs A, B, and C by double immunodiffusion and Western blotting of ethanol precipitated, concentrated culture fluid. Isolated DNA from these organisms, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, blotted on nylon membranes and developed with a digoxigenin detection system, failed to hybridize with probes specific for the genes speA, speB, and speC. We next investigated these isolates for the production of antigenically distinct mitogens by subjecting ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitated culture fluids to isoelectric focusing(IEF) and assaying fractions from IEF for mitogenicity by use of a rabbit splenocyte proliferation assay. All three isolates showed three peaks of mitogenic activity. The two largest peaks of mitogenic activity from one isolate were assayed for pyrogenicity and the ability to enhance lethal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock in a rabbit model. After injection of the sample, rabbits were observed for 4 hours and then given a sub-lethal injection of LPS. All the rabbits exhibited fever but none died. In an earlier experiment, all rabbits exhibited fever and 2/3 died. These results indicate that GGS produce mitogenic factors which are distinct from SPEs A, B, and C and could be novel superantigens.

Superantigens - toxicity

Exotoxins - isolation & purification

Rabbits

Streptococcal Infections - microbiology

Shock, Septic - etiology

Mitogens - toxicity

Humans

Pyrogens - isolation & purification

Streptococcus - pathogenicity

Superantigens - isolation & purification

Bacterial Proteins

Shock, Septic - microbiology

Membrane Proteins

Streptococcus - classification

Animals

Streptococcus - isolation & purification

Fever - etiology

Scarlet Fever - microbiology

Pyrogens - toxicity

Mitogens - isolation & purification

Details

Title: Subtitle: Mitogenic factors from group G streptococci associated with scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
Creators: A P Assimacopoulos - St. Paul Infectious Disease Associates Ltd., Minnesota, USA
J A Stoehr
P M Schlievert
Resource Type: Book chapter
Publication Details: Streptococci and the Host, Vol.418, pp.109-114
Publisher: Springer; Boston, MA
Series: Advances in experimental medicine and biology; 418
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-1825-3_27
PMID: 9331611
ISSN: 0065-2598
Grant note: HL36611 / NHLBI NIH HHS 2-T32-HD-07381 / NICHD NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 1997
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984001107602771

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