Staphylococcal enterotoxin B affects in vitro IgE synthesis, interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 production in atopic eczema.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with atopic eczema (AE) stimulated with the 'superantigen' Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) secreted significantly more interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 as well as IgE, and markedly less interferon-gamma than those from healthy controls. Our results support the assumption that SEB produced by S. aureus colonizing the skin of patients with AE may induce expansion of IL-4- and IL-5-producing Th2 clones, leading to increased IgE synthesis and eosinophil activation.