Failure of viridans group streptococci causing bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients to express superantigens.
Group A Streptococcus pyogenes causes a distinctive clinical disorder, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, mediated by superantigenic bacterial exotoxins. Oncology patients with viridans group streptococcal sepsis frequently present with a streptococcal toxic shocklike syndrome of unclear pathogenesis. Viridans group streptococci isolated from pediatric oncology patients with streptococcal toxic shocklike illnesses do not possess homologs of known superantigen genes. Supernatants from cultures of these bacteria also fail to stimulate T-cell proliferation, suggesting these bacteria do not commonly elaborate superantigens. Adjunctive treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, which is advantageous in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, may not benefit these patients.
Ohuoba
Esobe F
EF
Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
Kansal
Rita G
RG
Hayden
Randall T
RT
Kotb
Malak
M
Adderson
Elisabeth E
EE
D000293:Adolescent; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018089:Superantigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D034363:Viridans Streptococci / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D018089:Superantigens