Abstract
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute, multisystem, toxin-mediated illness, often resulting in multiorgan failure. It represents the most fulminant expression of a spectrum of disease caused by toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus). TSS results from the ability of bacterial toxins to act as superantigens. Most S. aureus and S. pyogenes infections begin on the skin or mucosal surfaces from direct inflammatory or cytotoxic effects of exotoxins. Despite a mortality rate higher than that of meningococcal septicemia, TSS has not achieved the same level of awareness among health-care professionals, who will generally encounter very few recognized cases during their careers. TSS may present anywhere within the health-care system, from occupational health departments to specialist hospital units, and may progress with a rapidity that, once seen, is never forgotten. It is therefore essential that all health-care practitioners have a sound appreciation of the clinical features, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of TSS.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case definitions for infectious conditions under public health surveillance. MMWR Recomm Rep. 1997;46(RR-10):1.
Working Group on Severe Streptococcal Infection. Defining the group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Rationale and consensus definition. JAMA. 1993;269:390–1.
Murray RJ. Recognition and management of Staphylococcus aureus toxin-mediated disease. Intern Med J. 2005;35 Suppl 2:S106–19.
Stevens DL, Tanner MH, Winship J, Swarts R, Ries KM, Schlievert PM, Kaplan E. Severe group A streptococcal infections associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome and scarlet fever toxin A. N Engl J Med. 1989;321:1–7.
Emma L, Andrew JF. Gram-positive toxic shock syndromes. Lancet Infect Dis. 2009;9:281–90.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag Wien
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hayashida, K., Fujioka, M., Murakami-Senju, C., Akita, S. (2015). Toxic Syndromes. In: Téot, L., Meaume, S., Akita, S., Ennis, W.J., del Marmol, V. (eds) Skin Necrosis. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1241-0_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1241-0_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-1240-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-1241-0
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)