This condition is caused by bacterial toxins known as superantigens (antigens that bind simultaneously to MHC II and the beta-V domain of the T cell receptor) that activate large numbers of T cells despite specificity. A number of bacteria have been implicated in the production of superantigens, including: | This condition is caused by bacterial toxins known as superantigens (antigens that bind simultaneously to MHC II and the beta-V domain of the T cell receptor) that activate large numbers of T cells despite specificity. A number of bacteria have been implicated in the production of superantigens, including: |