Effect of TSST1 on murine vaginal microbiota

Toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST1) is a superantigen produced by Staphylococcus aureus and the major determinant of menstrual toxic shock syndrome, however its impact on the vaginal tract out of this acute disease is still poorly understood. Herein, we intravaginally inoculated S. aureus MN8 with or without TSST1 in BALBc mice and assessed how TSST1 affects S. aureus colonization, the host inflammatory responses and the change within the microbial communities in the murine vagina.