Staphylococcus Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Staphylococcus, including details on mrsa, hospitals, infection, antibiotic resistance, superbugs.

Nasal exposure to Staphylococcal enterotoxin enhances the development of allergic rhinitis in mice.

Okano M, Hattori H, Yoshino T, Sugata Y, Yamamoto M, Fujiwara T, Satoskar AA, Satoskar AR, Nishizaki K

Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama, Japan. mokano@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. However, little is known whether the nasal exposure to SE affects the development of allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the in vivo effect of nasal exposure to SE on the development of AR using mouse model. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intranasally sensitized with Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen (SmEA) in the presence or absence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Control mice were intranasally sensitized with either SEB or SmEA alone. The production of antigen-specific antibodies including IgE, nasal eosinoplilia and cytokines by nasal mononuclear cells was compared among mice that had or had not received SEB treatment. RESULTS: Nasal exposure to SEB enhanced the development of AR in SmEA-sensitized mice, as manifested by SmEA-specific IgE production, nasal eosinophilia, and IL-4 and IL-5 production by nasal mononuclear cells after Ag challenge. This treatment also elicited IFN-gamma production by SmEA-primed cells. In addition, these mice produced SEB-specific IgE whereas mice treated with SEB without SmEA sensitization did not produce SEB-specific IgE or demonstrate nasal eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the nasal exposure to SEB enhances susceptibility to AR although the exposure to SE solely does not induce AR.

Published 19 April 2005 in Clin Exp Allergy, 35(4): 506-14.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Staphylococcus Research Today. All Rights Reserved.