[Toxic shock syndrome. A case of a child with burns]

A case of the toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in a burnt (scalded) child is presented. TSS is a condition most frequently associated with menstruating women using tampons. In recent years, however, increased knowledge of the syndrome has led to an increase in the number of reported cases associated with other clinical situations. The non-menstrual cases are most frequently observed in young persons many of whom are children. TSS is due to infection with toxin-producing S. aureus. TSS-toxin-1 is apparently the most important among toxins. The fatality rate has been reported to be as high as 15%, so recognition of the syndrome and institution of the correct treatment are of utmost importance. By means of an easy and rapid test, it is possible to detect if the strain of S. aureus is TSST-1-producing. The test is now available and employs passive latex agglutination. The sensitivity and specificity are high and, if clinical signs of TSS are present, a positive test result will support the diagnosis in 94% of alle positive cases.