Superantigen Interactions in Streptococcal Tonsillitis

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Streptococcus pyogenes is the major cause of bacterial tonsillitis worldwide, and is also responsible for severe invasive infections such as necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome. Although it can cause severe infections, S. pyogenes can also be carried asymptomatically in the throat, and transferred from person to person. It is known that S. pyogenes produces a number of highly potent toxins (superantigens), which have the ability to create a massive inflammatory response, and can even overwhelm the immune system. However, it is unclear why or when these are produced by the bacteria.This research will investigate the role of the superantigens produced by S. pyogenes in tonsillitis. Using a variety of laboratory techniques we will see if the superantigens alone are responsible for the inflammatory changes which occur during tonsil infections, and whether their production is increased in bacteria cultured from people with clinical disease when compared to their relatives who have asymptomatic carriage of the same bacterial strain.The results of this study will not only provide important information about the mechanisms employed by S. pyogenes to cause disease, but can also be applied to other bacteria which produce superantigens, especially Staphylococcus aureus.