Structure and function of streptococcal and staphylococcal superantigens in septic shock

The pyrogenic exotoxins of Group A Streptococci and enterotoxins of Staphyl ococcus aureus constitute a family of related toxins that acts as "superant igens" because of their ability to stimulate large numbers of T-cell subset s. These toxins have been implicated in gastrointestinal food poisoning, to xic shock syndromes, Gram-positive sepsis, and, possibly, septic shock. The re is increasing evidence that Gram-positive infections frequently coexist in septic shock and that bacterial superantigens play a major role.