The spectrum of staphylococcal disease. From Job's boils to toxic shock.
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus are known to differ in their ability to produce a number of toxins and digestive enzymes that may contribute to the organisms's virulence and invasive potential. Independent from these, however, certain strains produce a variety of specific toxins that cause specific clinical diseases, including staphylococcal food poisoning, staphylococcal enterocolitis, exfoliative skin disorders, and most recently, the toxic shock syndrome. This article reviews those diseases known to be mediated by specific staphylococcal toxins.