Prevalence, Production and the Role of Superantigens in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease.

Staphylococcus aureus (SA), the most common cystic fibrosis (CF) lung pathogen, is uniquely capable of producing superantigen (SAg) exotoxins, which are the most potent activators of the immune system. Although the proinflammatory roles of SA-SAgs is well-established, their role in the immunopathogenesis of CF lung disease is unexplored. Herein, we demonstrate that 60-80% of pediatric and adult CF SA isolates carried at least one SA-SAg gene, with the former harboring potent SA-SAgs (Staphylococcal enterotoxin A and B) more frequently (30-60%).