Staphylococcus aureusExpress Unique Superantigens Depending on the Tissue Source

Abstract

A comprehensive analysis of Staphylococcus aureus superantigen (SAG) genes was undertaken in isolates from a major hospital and compared with isolates from patients with toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis included recently discovered SAGs. Staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) G and SEI were uniquely expressed in genital isolates. Genital isolates were similar to TSS isolates, although the latter frequently expressed TSS toxin 1. Both had a high frequency of SEG/SEI and a high number of SAG genes per bacterium. Detection of an SAG gene by PCR correlated with positive results in functional assays for SAG activity. Levels of serum antibodies to SEG and SEI, but not to other superantigens, were higher in healthy women than in men and served as an independent measure of the higher frequency of exposure to SEG/SEI among women. Together, the data suggest a role for SEG/SEI or closely linked genes in the adaptation of S. aureus to the genital mucosa environment.

Prevalence and Multiplex PCR for Enterotoxin Genes of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Subclinical Mastitis and Kareish Cheese

“…This depends on the ability of Staphylococcus aureus to produce toxins or virulence factors that facilitated the disease occurrence [42]. The S. auerus enterotoxins (SE), particular SEA-SEE were the most classical discovered genes in cattle, sheep and goats milk [1,43] Showed that the host environment played a role in the adaptation of S. auerus in target host through production of SE. Modern molecular techniques as multiplex PCR has successfully adapted for detection of enterotoxins in S. aureus isolates from subclinical mastitis milk and Karich-cheese was done in this work as showed in figure 1 and table (3).…”

Simultaneous Analysis of Multiple Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Genes by an Oligonucleotide Microarray Assay

“…For example, it has been shown that different types of SEs have different emetic response activities in house musk shrews, although it was thought that there are no differences in the emetic response activities of SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE in humans and primates (18). In addition, S. aureus expression of specific ent genes may depend on the host tissue and may play a role in the adaptation of S. aureus to the host environment (4). Some have speculated that some cases of food poisoning result from the simultaneous expression of several enterotoxins in a single pathogenic S. aureus strain rather than from the expression of a single toxin.…”

“…These toxins may be involved in modulating the host immune response and may contribute to evasion of host defenses and bacterial persistence (12). Expression of specific enterotoxin (ent) genes by Staphylococcus aureus depends on the host tissue source and may play a role in the adaptation of S. aureus to the host environment (4).…”

egc -Encoded Superantigens from Staphylococcus aureus Are Neutralized by Human Sera Much Less Efficiently than Are Classical Staphylococcal Enterotoxins or Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin

“…S. aureus is one of the most frequent causes of hospital-acquired infections, and the emergence and spread of multiresistant strains give rise to concern. The pathogenicity of S. aureus is multifactorial, and the versatility of this organism is underscored by recent clinical studies (4,14,16,31,37,38).Superantigens activate large subpopulations of T lymphocytes by directly cross-linking certain T-cell receptor V␤ domains with conserved structures on major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (32). They belong to the most potent T-cell mitogens known and can induce massive systemic cytokine release, leading to the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (22).…”

“…S. aureus is one of the most frequent causes of hospital-acquired infections, and the emergence and spread of multiresistant strains give rise to concern. The pathogenicity of S. aureus is multifactorial, and the versatility of this organism is underscored by recent clinical studies (4,14,16,31,37,38).…”