title: Direct effects of purified staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 on myocardial function of isolated rabbit atria.
abstract: Toxic shock syndrome is associated with reversible cardiomyopathy. The cardiac dysfunction may be mediated by toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1), an exotoxin generated by Staphylococcus aureus. However, the effects of purified TSST-1 on cardiac function are unknown. In a study of the toxin's effect on myocardial function, TSST-1 (200 ng/mL) was added to muscle baths containing isolated rabbit atria. TSST-1 caused time-dependent inhibition of developed force (systolic function) but did not alter resting force (an index of muscle stiffness or cardiac compliance). These data show that TSST-1 can directly inhibit myocardial function, but the significance of this effect in patients with toxic shock syndrome remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Melish
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006325:Heart Atria; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011817:Rabbits; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D018089:Superantigens; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal