SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME (SIDS) - ARE COMMON BACTERIAL TOXINS RESPONSIBLE, AND DO THEY HAVE A VACCINE POTENTIAL

Despite extensive research, no unifying concept has satisfactorily exp lained the cause of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The detai ls are briefly outlined of some of the evidence supporting the hypothe sis that common bacterial toxins are important in the aetiology of SID S. These bacterial toxins act as triggers to initiate a biochemical ca scade resulting in death. Data from four research groups, each working independently, indicated that the bacteria Clostridium perfringens, E scherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp. and Enteroc occus spp. were present in higher numbers in infants who had suffered SIDS than in control infants. Certainly more detailed studies need to be performed on the role of bacterial infections in infants. There are many implications arising from this work, particularly the use of vac cination as a means of reducing infections, and consequently the numbe r of SIDS deaths.