Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an exotoxin-mediated illness caused by bacterial infection, most commonly group A Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus.

Presenting signs and symptoms can be nonspecific, but the course of the disease is precipitous and toxicity occurs early, resulting in serious life-threatening disease and multiorgan system failure.

Early diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Streptococcal TSS can occur with infection at any site but is more commonly associated with an infected cutaneous site.

Staphylococcal TSS (menstrual or nonmenstrual) is associated with extended tampon use, postpartum infections, and other sites of infection with the organism.

Treatment includes supportive care in an intensive care unit, early empiric antibiotic treatment, and further culture-sensitive antibiotic treatment. Surgical debridement may be needed for deep-seated streptococcal infections.

TSS is an exotoxin-mediated illness caused by bacterial infection. Organisms commonly responsible include group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes),​​​ or methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) or methicillin-resistant (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus.[1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Working Group on Severe Streptococcal Infections. Defining the group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: rationale and consensus definition. JAMA. 1993 Jan 20;269(3):390-1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8418347?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS): 2010 case definition. 2010 [internet publication]. https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/streptococcal-toxic-shock-syndrome-2010 [3]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Toxic shock syndrome (other than streptococcal ) (TSS): 2011 case definition. Apr 2021 [internet publication]​. https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/toxic-shock-syndrome-2011 ​​​

Although the presenting signs and symptoms can be nonspecific (e.g., fever, chills, myalgias, headache), the course of the disease is precipitous, and shock and multiorgan system failure occur early in the course of the disease.

Staphylococcal TSS can be split into two groups: menstrual TSS, which occurs in women during menstruation with extended use of a single tampon or, historically, with highly absorbable tampons; and nonmenstrual TSS, which can result from a variety of staphylococcal postpartum vaginal and cesarean wound infections.[4]Reingold AL, Hargrett NT, Shands KN, et al. Toxic shock syndrome surveillance in the United States, 1980 to 1981. Ann Intern Med. 1982 Jun;96(6 Pt 2):875-80. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7091960?tool=bestpractice.com ​​[5]Kotler DP, Sandkovsky U, Schlievert PM, et al. Toxic shock-like syndrome associated with staphylococcal enterocolitis in an HIV-infected man. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jun 15;44(12):e121-3. http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/12/e121.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17516392?tool=bestpractice.com [6]Paterson MP, Hoffman EB, Roux P. Severe disseminated staphylococcal disease associated with osteitis and septic arthritis. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1990 Jan;72(1):94-7. http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/72-B/1/94.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2298804?tool=bestpractice.com [7]Ferguson MA, Todd JK. Toxic shock syndrome associated with Staphylococcus aureus sinusitis in children. J Infect Dis. 1990 May;161(5):953-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2324544?tool=bestpractice.com [8]Parsonnet J. Nonmenstrual toxic shock syndrome: new insights into diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment. Curr Clin Top Infect Dis. 1996;16:1-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8714246?tool=bestpractice.com