Abstract
Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains can produce superantigenic toxins that may trigger a massive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are involved in the onset of septic shock. This 1-year prospective pilot study assessed the role of the production of superantigenic toxins in the outcome of immunocompetent patients hospitalised for community-acquired MSSA bacteraemia. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled, of whom 14 died in hospital. Fourteen patients had septic shock, and the mortality rate in this subgroup was 56%. Twenty-seven (73%) isolates produced at least one superantigenic toxin, but this did not influence the rate of occurrence of septic shock or death.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
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Bacteremia / drug therapy
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Bacteremia / immunology*
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Bacteremia / microbiology
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Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
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Community-Acquired Infections / immunology
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Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology*
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Enterotoxins / genetics
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Methicillin / therapeutic use*
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Middle Aged
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Prognosis
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Prospective Studies
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Shock, Septic / drug therapy
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Shock, Septic / immunology
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Shock, Septic / microbiology
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Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
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Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
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Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
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Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*
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Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
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Superantigens / immunology*
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Enterotoxins
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Superantigens
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Methicillin