Toxic shock syndrome (tss)

[Dave Paprocki]

Toxic shock syndrome is caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal exotoxins. Symptoms include high fever, hypotension, diffuse erythematous rash, and multiple organ dysfunction, which may rapidly progress to severe and intractable shock. Diagnosis is made clinically and by isolating the organism. Treatment includes antibiotics, intensive support, and IV immune globulin .
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is caused by exotoxin-producing cocci. Strains of phage-group 1 Staphylococcus aureus elaborate the TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1) or related exotoxins; certain strains of Streptococcus pyogenes produce at least 2 exotoxins.