Final answer:
The two bacteria associated with superantigens are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, which can cause toxic shock syndrome and scarlet fever, respectively, through the production of potent toxins that trigger an excessive immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Superantigens are powerful toxins that can cause an unregulated and excessive activation of T cells, leading to a severe and potentially fatal inflammatory response. The two main bacteria associated with superantigens are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacteria are responsible for conditions such as toxic shock syndrome and scarlet fever, respectively.
For instance, Staphylococcus aureus can produce the superantigen known as toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST), while Streptococcus pyogenes can produce the superantigens streptococcal pyrogenic toxins, also known for causing scarlet fever. The immune response triggered by these superantigens leads to a massive release of cytokines (a cytokine storm), which can result in high, life-threatening fevers and severe systemic issues.