T cell activation and cytokine release in streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome.
A 5-year-old girl with streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome during varicella infection had high levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 but no interleukin-1 or interleukin-2 in the serum. Intravenous administration of gamma-globulin coincided with clinical improvement and with reduction of the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6. The data suggest that streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins trigger synthesis of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 in vivo; intravenously administered gamma-globulin may down-regulate the cytokine response.
Division of Immunology/Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
D
D
Nadal
R P
RP
Lauener
C P
CP
Braegger
A
A
Kaufhold
B
B
Simma
R
R
Lütticken
R A
RA
Seger
D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000209:etiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D002097:C-Reactive Protein