Role of air in growth and production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 by Staphylococcus aureus in experimental cotton and rayon tampons.
Rayon and cotton fibers of the type used in the manufacture of tampons were extracted for 6 hours in isopropyl alcohol in a soxhlet apparatus to remove all finishes from the fiber surface. The fibers were used to produce experimental tampons of commercial design. Using a syringe method, the tampons were saturated with diluted staphylococci in brain-heart infusion medium and incubated at 37 degrees C. Spent medium was expressed from the tampons and analyzed for growth of staphylococci and production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). Results revealed no statistical difference in the production of TSST-1 by cells grown in rayon or cotton. However, a significant increase in TSST-1 production was observed in tampon cultures when compared with medium controls. When similar experiments were performed with tampons saturated with nitrogen, a significant decrease in TSST-1 production was observed when compared with air-saturated tampons. The results indicate that the oxygen normally present in tampons plays a significant role in modulating the production of TSST-1.
Fischetti
V A
VA
Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021.
Chapman
F
F
Kakani
R
R
James
J
J
Grun
E
E
Zabriskie
J B
JB
D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002482:Cellulose; D003470:Culture Media; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003368:Gossypium; D006801:Humans; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018089:Superantigens; D013630:Tampons, Surgical
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003470:Culture Media; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal; D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified