This document describes the characteristics of staphylococcal enterotoxin B and related pyrogenic toxins.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is one of seven enterotoxins produced by strains of Staphylococcus aureus. SEB, the best understood of the staphylococcal enterotoxins, can be regarded as the "type" enterotoxin. Staphylococcal enterotoxins, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), and certain other bacterial products are commonly referred to as superantigens because of their profound effects on the immune system. The staphylococcal enterotoxins are the most frequent cause of food poisoning. More severe physiological consequences may result from exposure to these toxins through a nonenteric route. Although high dose exposures may well cause fatalities, it is the incapacitating consequences of inhalational exposure to agents such as SEB on the battlefield that are of most concern in the context of biological defense. SEB has been studied extensively as a biological incapacitant because much lower quantities are needed to produce the desired effect than were required with synthetic chemicals. When inhaled as a respirable aerosol, SEB causes fever, severe respiratory distress, headache, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis can be confirmed through the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of tissues or body fluids. Prophylactic administration of an investigational vaccine protects laboratory animals from inhalational challenge. Supportive care is useful in reducing toxicity in unprotected individuals. 32 references