title: Toxic shock syndrome--the role of the toxin.
abstract: From isolates of Staphylococcus aureus derived from patients suffering from toxic shock syndrome a toxin was identified by tests in monkeys and was found to be distinct from the enterotoxin responsible for staphylococcal food poisoning. When purified, this TSS toxin (TSST-1) was characterised and used to generate antibodies in rabbits. Only a small proportion of routine staphylococcal isolates produce TSST-1, though it is clear that this toxin has existed for some years. At the same time, TSST-1 producing staphylococci have been isolated in every continent, yet very few cases of toxic shock syndrome have been recognised in developing countries. Using the purified TSST-1, human sera have been examined for the presence of antibodies. Patients with the disease had either no antibodies, or low titres.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism; D018089:Superantigens
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal