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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Visualization of Bacterial Toxin Induced Responses Using Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: October 1, 2012
Kallikrein-kinin system activation in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. s.sriskandan@ic.ac.uk
Abstract:
A retrospective analysis of 7 patients with streptococcal toxic shock revealed isolated prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time, which returned to normal during recovery. Levels of factor XII were reduced in 2 patients who had single factor assays performed, consistent with activation of the kallikrein-kinin system. We speculate that bradykinin release following activation of the kallikrein-kinin system in streptococcal toxic shock may underlie the features of pain, capillary leaking, and severe hypotension characteristic of this syndrome.
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