Super Antigen And Cytokines

Super-antigens have several virulence factors that makes the host’s immune response kick into “overdrive” which releases large amounts of toxins into the body. Cytokines usually assist the body in defending off pathogens but super antigens cause them to turn into toxins. When released in large quantities, cytokines attack the immune system of the host and cause capillary leakage which usually cannot be reversed. The immune system then responds by producing an extremely high temperature and eventually leads to the multiple organ systems failing in the host. The super-antigen also produces activation of T cells that will not allow IG antibodies to kick in. These antibodies normally play an important role in defending off pathogens which leads