Staph toxic shock syndrome

• caused by molecules released from Staph

• toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 led to the large number of cases initially reported with this syndrome

• it is a syndrome of unregulated immune reaction characterized by fever, myalgia, abdominal pain, weakness, hypotension, mental clouding; acutely, headache and vomiting

• only later do you see sloughing of the skin and epidermal involvement

First infections were seen with Rely tampons

• super-absorbent, so you can go boating with a white bathing suit

• however, Staph, a native vaginal strain, would produce toxin to such a degree that it would get systemically absorbed

• a shift away from this kind of tampon has led to decrease in incidence

Category: Microbiology Notes