NLRP3 and infection: To further clarify the role of the Nlrp3 inflammasome activation in developing STSS caused by SS2, we infected three genotypes of mice [WT mice, Nlrp3−/− mice, and WT mice injected with the Nlrp3 inhibitor (MCC950) prior to infection] with a high dose of 2 × 109 CFU SS2.