Staphylococcal Enterotoxin-B-Mediated Stimulation of Interleukin-13 Production as a Potential Aetiologic Factor in Eczema in Infants

Vol. 135, No. 4, 2004

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Original Paper

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin-B-Mediated Stimulation of Interleukin-13 Production as a Potential Aetiologic Factor in Eczema in Infants
H.S. Lehmann^a, T. Heaton^a, D. Mallon^b, P.G. Holt^a

^aTelethon Institute for Child Health Research, and Centre for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Australia,
^bDepartments of Immunology, Fremantle and Princess Margaret Hospitals, Perth, Australia

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2004;135:306-312 (DOI: 10.1159/000082324)

Key Words

Interleukin-13
Atopic dermatitis
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus colonization has been found in 80-100% of lesional skin from patients with atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) and is thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, up to 65% of S. aureus from lesional skin has been shown to produce toxigenic superantigens. Methods: Using a cohort of 11 children under 2 years of age diagnosed with AEDS, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, cultured them with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and phytohaemagglutinin, and assessed the cytokine response profiles. Plasma was also collected for immunoglobulin E analysis. In addition, skin and nasal swabs were taken and cultured to determine the presence of SEB-producing S. aureus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse passive latex agglutination. Results: We found a significant increase in the production of the SEB-induced cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 in the patient group when compared with non-atopic, healthy controls. For IL-13, there was almost no overlap in the levels between the groups. However, there was no correlation between SEB-induced IL-13 and disease severity. This difference was not seen when heat-inactivated S. aureus was used to stimulate the cells. Conclusions: IL-13 is an important factor in AEDS development in early childhood, and prophylactic anti-staphylococcal treatment may provide protection from AEDS in atopic individuals.

Author Contacts

Correpondence to: Prof. P.G. Holt
Division of Cell Biology, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
PO Box 855
West Perth, WA 6872 (Australia)
Tel. +61 8 9489 7838, Fax +61 8 9489 7707, E-Mail patrick@ichr.uwa.edu.au

Article Information

Received: May 5, 2004
Accepted after revision: August 18, 2004
Published online: November 24, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 32

Medline Abstract (ID 15564771)

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