Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with psoriasis possess genes that code for toxins (superantigens): clinical and therapeutic implications.
Superantigens are powerful T lymphocyte-stimulating agents that are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of certain diseases such as psoriasis. Toxins produced by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus are superantigens. The aim of this study was to detect genes that code for superantigens in Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from psoriatic patients. Primers to amplify streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A, B, and C and streptolysin O genes and staphylococcal enterotoxin A, B, C, and D genes were used. Streptococcal exotoxin B was detected in five streptococcal isolates. Staphyloccocus aureus enterotoxin A and/or C genes were detected in nine S. aureus isolates. Isolates from 13 of 22 patients possesed gene(s) that code for toxin(s) (superantigens). These results might support the role of superantigens in the exacerbation of psoriasis.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Jessica
J
El Ferezli
Lori
L
Jenbazian
Nelly
N
Rubeiz
Abdul-Ghani
AG
Kibbi
Shukrallah
S
Zaynoun
Alexander M
AM
Abdelnoor
D000328:Adult; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018089:Superantigens / Q000235:genetics*
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D018089:Superantigens