Staphylococcal α-Toxin Provokes Coronary Vasoconstriction and Loss in Myocardial Contractility in Perfused Rat Hearts

Abstract

Purified staphylococcal alpha-toxin provokes coronary vasoconstriction and loss in myocardial contractility. The responses appear to be largely attributable to the generation of thromboxane and are even enhanced when the endogenous nitric oxide synthesis is blocked. Bacterial exotoxins, such as staphylococcal alpha-toxin, may thus be implicated in the loss of cardiac performance encountered in Gram-positive septic shock.