Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 Evaluation and Antibiotic Impact in a Transgenic Model of Staphylococcal Soft Tissue Infection

Abstract

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening illness causing fever, rash, and shock, attributed to toxins produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus , mainly toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). TSS was in the past commonly linked with menstruation and high-absorbency tampons; now, TSS is more frequently triggered by other staphylococcal infections, particularly of skin and soft tissue. Investigating the progress and treatment of TSS in patients is challenging, as TSS is rare; animal models do not mimic TSS adequately, as toxins interact best with human immune cells. We developed a new model of staphylococcal soft tissue infection in mice producing human immune cell proteins, rendering them TSST-1 sensitive, to investigate TSS. The significance of our research was that TSST-1 was found in soft tissues and immune organs of mice and that early treatment of mice with the antibiotic clindamycin altered TSST-1 production. Therefore, the early treatment of patients suspected of having TSS with clindamycin may influence their response to treatment.