Toxicity of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 for germ-free and conventional piglets.

The susceptibilities of conventional and germ-free miniature pigs to staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) were studied and compared. TSST-1 at doses of 100 micrograms/kg evoked reactions similar to those observed in rabbits, i.e., hyperthermia, diarrhea, apathy, conjunctival hyperemia, and various changes indicating toxic damage of different organs, but it was never lethal at this dose. Germ-free piglets were less susceptible than were corresponding conventional animals, a finding that may support the concept that endogenous endotoxin is involved in the pathogenesis of toxic shock syndrome.