Abstract
This chapter describes a quantitative assay for the streptococcal superantigen, streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPEA), which can be used in broth, tissue-culture media, and certain sera. The protocol can be adapted to allow measurement of any bacterial superantigen or protein toxin, using different oligonucleotides to amplify the coding sequences from bacterial DNA. Previously, measurement of bacterial toxins such as SPEA was limited by poor test sensitivity and test samples could only be analyzed if concentrated. Techniques included Ouchterlony immunodiffusion or enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA), although the lower limit of detection was 100-fold greater than that achievable in this system. (1–3) Recent methods described have achieved improved sensitivities, some using sandwich ELISA techniques, others using competitive ELISA techniques. (4–8).
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© 2000 Humana Press Inc.
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Sriskandan, S. (2000). Assay for Superantigens. In: Evans, T.J. (eds) Septic Shock Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 36. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-216-3:67
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-216-3:67
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-730-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-216-6
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