Effect of the Today contraceptive sponge on growth and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production by Staphylococcus aureus.

Toxic-shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)-producing Staphylococcus aureus MN8 was grown in dialyzed beef heart infusion broth, or dialyzed beef heart infusion broth supplemented with 5% human blood or with 5% human semen, in the presence and absence of Today contraceptive sponges. Early growth of the organism was inhibited by the presence of the sponges in aerobic, static aerobic, and anaerobic cultures. In aerobic cultures that contained the sponge, minimal TSST-1 was detected by immunodiffusion assay, whereas in control cultures that did not contain the sponge, extensive toxin production was seen. In static and anaerobic cultures, the presence of the contraceptive sponge resulted in toxin levels less than or equal to the low levels seen in control cultures. These results suggest that Today contraceptive sponges may inhibit TSST-1 production by S aureus.