Involvement of streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

ABSTRACT: We report a nonfatal case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) caused by a Streptococcus pyogenes emm118 strain encoding a novel variant of streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z (SMEZ-34). This variant was responsible for the major mitogenic activity in the cell culture supernatant. Patient sera showed seroconversion toward SMEZ, implying a role for this toxin in STSS.

SUBMITTER: Yang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1169092 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature