Staphylococcus Aureus Pathogenesis - Super-Antigen Activity
There are 6 enterotoxins serotypes (A, B, C, D, E, G) and a toxic shock syndrome toxin
(TSST-1) responsible of vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and prostration. Toxic Shock
Syndrome express its symptoms when the cumulative toxin dose ingested exceeds 1 _g,
TSST-1 is the principal cause of disease in 75% of cases though not provided of emetic
activity.
Super-antigen activity consists in a non specific stimulation that involves 1 in 5 T-cells instead
of 1 in 10000 as usually results during antigen presentation: the consequence is a strong
cytokines release that represents the real outbreaking reason of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
The direct binding to class II major histocompatibility complexes (MCH II) of antigen-
presenting cells outside the normal antigen-binding groove brings about the recognition of Vb
element of the T-cells receptor as unique stimulation determinant, when normally antigen
specificity is necessary.