Characterisation of a synergohymenotropic toxin produced by Staphylococcus intermedius

Abstract
Staphylococcal synergohymenotropic (SHT) toxins damage membranes of host defence cells and erythrocytes by the synergy of two secreted and non‐associated proteins: class S and class F components. Whereas Panton‐Valentine leucocidin (PVL), γ‐hemolysin and Luk‐M from Staphylococcus aureus are members of this toxin family, a new bi‐component toxin (LukS‐I + LukF‐I) from Staphylococcus intermedius, a pathogen for small animals, was characterised and sequenced. It is encoded as a luk‐I operon by two cotranscribed genes, like PVL. LukS‐I + LukF‐I shares a strong leukotoxicity of various PMNs, but only slight haemolytic properties on rabbit erythrocytes. When intradermally injected into rabbit skin, a 100 ng dose caused acute inflammatory reaction leading to tissue necrosis. The new SHT seemed to be largely distributed among various Staphylococcus intermedius strains.

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