A potential role for mycotoxins(gliotoxin) in suppression of superantigens of Streptococcus pyogenes

Although little research has been conducted on the role of Streptococcus pyogenes superantigens in psoriasis, exploring this area could lead to valuable insights and potential treatment options for individuals with psoriasis. This study aimed to assess the presence of superantigens, including SpeK, SpeL, SpeM, SpeC, and SmeZ, in plaque samples from Iranian medical centers and to examine any changes in their expression after gliotoxin treatment. Skin plaque samples were collected from 400 50-year-old patients using swabs. The presence of superantigens was determined using the multiplex PCR method. Streptococcus pyogenes strains were confirmed using a specific primer SPY1258, and gene expression after gliotoxin treatment was assessed using real-time PCR. According to our data, among 400 samples, 50 were found to contain Streptococcus pyogenes. The analysis further revealed that SpeK and SpeL were present in these samples with 50% and 8% prevalence, respectively. These were mostly found in samples collected from patients with hand lesions.. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the expression of these two genes after gliotoxin treatment. However, there was no evidence of the presence of the other three genes. These findings suggest that microbial toxins, such as gliotoxin, can potentially be utilized to develop antimicrobial drugs for treating psoriasis. Therefore, further research should be conducted to explore the potential of gliotoxin as a treatment option for psoriasis