Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
A Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization Method for the Gastropod Mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis
Published on: March 15, 2016
Toxic shock syndrome after laminaria insertion
G Sutkin1, S D Capelle, P M Schlievert
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. obggs@ttuhsc.edu
Background:
Laminaria tents used to facilitate surgical abortion are rarely associated with significant infectious morbidity.
Case:
A parous woman in midpregnancy had laminaria placed in her cervix followed by a second set after 24 hours. Eight hours later, she presented with dyspnea, hives, fever, tachycardia, and hypotension. Antibiotic treatment was initiated and a dilation and evacuation procedure was performed. Amniotic membrane cultures showed a heavy growth of Staphylococcus aureus with staphylococcal enterotoxin C expression, compatible with toxic shock syndrome.
Conclusion:
Laminaria cervical dilation might be associated with toxic shock syndrome.
