Bacterial superantigens are believed to cause septic shock, although, because of the lack of superantigen-sensitive infection models, proof that superantigenicity underlies shock pathogenesis is lacking. This work demonstrates a clear superantigen effect in septic shock resulting from bacterial infection. Transgenic expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ, but not HLA-DR, specifically augments lymphocyte responses to streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPEA). HLA-DQ transgenic mice had increased mortality after administration of SPEA or infection with Streptococcus pyogenes. Immune activation during infection was HLA-DQ transgene-dependent and was manifested by Vbeta-specific T cell repertoire changes and widespread lymphoblastic tissue infiltration. Unlike earlier models, which used toxin-induced shock, these T cell superantigen responses and lymphoblastoid changes were observed during invasive streptococcal sepsis. Lymphoid activation was undetectable in HLA-DQ mice infected with an isogenic SPEA(-) strain, which proves that a single superantigen can play a role in sepsis pathogenesis.