Update on molecular diversity and multipathogenicity of staphylococcal superantigen toxins

Abstract Staphylococcal superantigen (SAg) toxins are the most notable virulence factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus , which is a pathogen serious community and hospital acquired infections in humans various diseases animals. Recently, SAg have become superfamily 29 types, including staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) emetic activity, SE-like (SEls) that do not induce emesis primate models or yet been tested, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). SEs SEls can be subdivided into classical types (SEA to SEE) novel (SEG SElY, SE01, SE02, SEl26 SEl27). The genes of located diverse accessory genetic elements share certain structural biological properties. heat-stable proteins exhibit pyrogenicity, superantigenicity capacity lethal hypersensitivity endotoxin They multiple pathogenicities interfere normal immune function host, increase chances survival transmission pathogenic bacteria consequently contribute occurrence development infections, persistent food poisoning. This review focuses on following aspects toxins: (1) members classic novelty discovered SAgs; (2) diversity gene locations molecular characteristics; (3) characteristics activities; (4) multi-pathogenicity SAgs animal human diseases, bovine mastitis, swine sepsis, abscesses skin edema pig, arthritis septicemia poultry, nosocomial food-borne humans.