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Identification and characterization of an exotoxin from Staphylococcus aureus associated with toxic-shock syndrome
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Identification and characterization of an exotoxin from Staphylococcus aureus associated with toxic-shock syndrome

Patrick M Schlievert, Kathryn N Shands, Bruce B Dan, George P Schmid and Russell D Nishimura
The Journal of infectious diseases, Vol.143(4), pp.509-516
04/1981
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/143.4.509
PMID: 6972418

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Abstract

Toxic-shock syndrome (TSS) is believed to be caused by a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus. An exotoxin has been identified that is associated with strains of S. aureus isolated from patients with TSS. Coded strains of S. aureus were tested for the presence of the exotoxin by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. Sixty isolates of S. aureus were tested; 28 (100%) of 28 isolates from patients with TSS but only five (16%) of 32 control isolates produced the toxin (P much less than 0.001). This protein exotoxin, which was purified by differential precipitation with ethanol and thin-layer isoelectric focusing, had an isoelectric point of 7.2. When tested by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the toxin migrated as a homogeneous protein with a molecular weight of 22,000. The exotoxin produced fever in rabbits and enhanced susceptibility to lethal shock caused by endotoxin. Other biologic properties of the exotoxin included lymphocyte mitogenicity and the capacity to suppress synthesis of IgM antibody to sheep erythrocytes.
 Rabbits Shock, Septic - etiology Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel Exotoxins - immunology Humans Isoelectric Focusing Male Syndrome Animals Fever - etiology Female T-Lymphocytes - immunology Staphylococcus aureus Immunoglobulin M - biosynthesis

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