Protective effects of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) toxoid on lung and liver tissue integrity in rats during systemic infection

Dhafer Rasheed  Al-Fetly; Atiaf Ghanim  Rhyaf; Hala Abbas  Naji

doi:10.18502/ijm.v17i2.18396

Dhafer Rasheed Al-Fetly Department of Internal and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq
Atiaf Ghanim Rhyaf Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq
Hala Abbas Naji Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i2.18396

Keywords: SEB; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Pathogenesis; Immunization; Tissue damage; Experimental infection

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a potent superantigenic toxin produced by Staphylococ- cus aureus (S. aureus), plays a crucial role in S. aureus systemic infection. This investigation sought to determine whether immunising animals with SEB toxoid could protect against an experimental acute systemic infection caused by S. aureus.

Materials and Methods: This study involved three groups of animals: one group was administered with SEB toxoid, and the second group was administered with intramuscular injections of normal saline, after which both were subjected to systemic S. aureus infection. The third group served as the negative control. After two weeks, the outcomes of the experimental systemic infection demonstrated that SEB immunisation significantly shielded organs (lung and liver) from damage in comparison to the control group.

Results: Regarding the histopathological analysis of liver and lung tissues, the control group showed minimal alterations, in- dicating a normal tissue state. Infected individuals exhibited severe pathology, including inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. The immunised group displayed a mixed profile with elevated inflammation but lower necrosis and fibrosis. Immunisation mitigated pathological changes induced by infection, fostering a more controlled response.

Conclusion: SEB plays an important role in S. aureus pathogenesis and immunisation, and this toxoid might protect against fatal infections of S. aureus.