title: Effects of total body irradiation and cyclosporin a on the lethality of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 in a rabbit model of toxic shock syndrome.
abstract: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) may be mediated by superantigen-activated T cells, a theory we tested in rabbits, which are more susceptible to the lethal effects of superantigens, such as TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1), than are mice. Rabbits exposed to 10 cGy of total body irradiation exhibited T cell deficiency, with profound depletion of splenic lymphocytes and circulating CD4(+) lymphocytes, as well as an inability to manifest delayed-type hypersensitivity. Nevertheless, these rabbits remained completely susceptible to TSST-1, indicating that TSS can occur in the setting of marked immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dinges
authors.forename: Dale S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gregerson
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Tripp
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schlievert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011817:Rabbits; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018089:Superantigens / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal; D016572:Cyclosporine