Quantification and toxicity of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins in an animal model of toxic shock syndrome-like illness.

Toxic shock-like syndrome isolates of group A streptococci were evaluated for production of pyrogenic exotoxins (also called SPEs, scarlet fever toxins, and erythrogenic toxins). The isolates were consecutively obtained during 1987 and 1988. Of these isolates, 23 of 26 made SPE type A, 10 of 26 made SPE B, and 8 of 26 made SPE C. SPE A was produced in significantly greater amounts than SPEs B and C (3.2 micrograms/ml of culture fluid compared with 0.7 and 0.6 microgram/ml, respectively). SPE A, administered in miniosmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously in rabbits, was significantly more toxic than SPE C; seven of eight rabbits succumbed after challenge with 150 or 300 micrograms of SPE A, compared with one of six after challenge with SPE C.