Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1): influence of its production by subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations
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1Institut für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Klinikum der Stadt Mannheim, Fakultät für Klinische Medizin Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg.
Abstract:
Using seven different toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) producing Staphylococcus aureus strains, we examined the influence on growth and toxin production of subinhibitory concentrations of clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline and tunicamycin. The behaviour of six S. aureus (= W/MT-strains) was identical, the one of S. aureus MN8 was different in part. Using the different subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations, bacterial growth was inhibited by tunicamycin only. Toxin production was influenced by clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, kanamycin and tetracycline without simultaneous changes in the number of cells; MN8 was more sensitive to clindamycin and lincomycin than W/MT strains. Very small differences or no differences at all were found between the two bacterial groups in experiments using erythromycin, kanamycin and tetracycline. Tunicamycin caused elevated TSST-1 concentrations of 100% (MN8) or 65% (W/MT) above the control level if used at concentrations of 4 mg/l or 16 mg/l respectively; this result is interpreted as a higher output of TSST-1 caused by the damage to the bacterial cell wall. From these results it is not possible to conclude that different mechanisms of regulation of TSST-1 expression exist between S. aureus MN8 and the other TSST-1 positive S. aureus strains.
Insights
Subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations affect Staphylococcus aureus toxin production without altering bacterial growth, except for tunicamycin. Different strains showed varied sensitivities, suggesting complex regulatory mechanisms for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) expression.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus produces toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), a key virulence factor.
- Understanding how subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations affect toxin production is crucial for managing infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of subinhibitory concentrations of various antibiotics on TSST-1 production and bacterial growth in different Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- To compare the responses of Staphylococcus aureus MN8 strain with other TSST-1 producing strains.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of seven TSST-1 producing Staphylococcus aureus strains to subinhibitory concentrations of clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, and tunicamycin.
- Monitoring bacterial growth and TSST-1 production.
- Analyzing strain-specific differences in response.
Main Results:
- Tunicamycin was the only antibiotic to inhibit bacterial growth.
- Clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, kanamycin, and tetracycline influenced TSST-1 production without affecting cell numbers.
- Staphylococcus aureus MN8 exhibited higher sensitivity to clindamycin and lincomycin compared to other strains.
- Tunicamycin at specific concentrations significantly increased TSST-1 levels, potentially due to cell wall damage.
Conclusions:
- Subinhibitory antibiotics can modulate TSST-1 production independently of bacterial growth.
- While strain-specific differences exist, particularly with clindamycin and lincomycin, the study does not provide conclusive evidence for distinct TSST-1 expression regulation mechanisms between Staphylococcus aureus MN8 and other strains.