Staphylococcal enterotoxin-B-mediated stimulation of interleukin-13 production as a potential aetiologic factor in eczema in infants.
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus aureus colonization has been found in 80-100% of lesional skin from patients with atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) and is thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, up to 65% of S. aureus from lesional skin has been shown to produce toxigenic superantigens.


METHODS
Using a cohort of 11 children under 2 years of age diagnosed with AEDS, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, cultured them with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and phytohaemagglutinin, and assessed the cytokine response profiles. Plasma was also collected for immunoglobulin E analysis. In addition, skin and nasal swabs were taken and cultured to determine the presence of SEB-producing S. aureus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse passive latex agglutination.


RESULTS
We found a significant increase in the production of the SEB-induced cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 in the patient group when compared with non-atopic, healthy controls. For IL-13, there was almost no overlap in the levels between the groups. However, there was no correlation between SEB-induced IL-13 and disease severity. This difference was not seen when heat-inactivated S. aureus was used to stimulate the cells.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-13 is an important factor in AEDS development in early childhood, and prophylactic anti-staphylococcal treatment may provide protection from AEDS in atopic individuals.
Lehmann
H S
HS
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, and Centre for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Australia.
Heaton
T
T
Mallon
D
D
Holt
P G
PG
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015848:Interleukin-5; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal