Group A streptococci are model extracellular gram-positive pathogens responsible for
pharyngitis, impetigo, rheumatic fever, and acute glomerulonephritis. A resurgence of …

Publisher Summary This chapter provides evidence that indicates a potential role for
superantigens in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. The term “superantigen” was …

The recent discovery of the mode of interaction between a group of microbial proteins known
as superantigens and the immune system has opened a wide area of investigation into the …

The streptococcal cysteine protease (SpeB) is one of the major virulence factors produced
by group A streptococci (GAS). In this study we investigated if differences exist in SpeB …

Cytokines elicited by superantigens have been suggested to play a central role in severe
systemic clinical manifestations of gram‐positive sepsis. Here we provide evidence for a …

An impressive change in the epidemiology and severity of invasive group A streptococcal
infections occurred in the 1980s, and the incidence of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome …

[Frontiers in Bioscience 8, s533-543, May 1, 2003] 533 AUTOIMMUNITY AND
MOLECULAR MIMICRY IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF POST-STREPTOCOC Page 1 [Frontiers …

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin F (SpeF), previously referred to as mitogenic factor, is a
newly described potent mitogen produced by group A streptococci. To investigate whether …

Inasmuch as normal intravenous polyspecific immunoglobulin G (IVIG) neutralizes the
activity of a wide spectrum of superantigens, it may be an efficient adjunctive therapy for …

The streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (Spes) play a central role in the pathogenesis of
invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections. The majority of recent invasive GAS …