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Travel-related Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by emm type 78 Streptococcus pyogenes

Dennis Tappe1, Marco H Schulze, Mark van der Linden

  • 1Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany. dtappe@hygiene.uni-wuerzburg.de

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a severe illness. A case report details a protracted STSS in a traveler from West Malaysia caused by an unusual *Streptococcus* strain with specific superantigen genes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) presents a significant global health challenge.
  • Early identification and understanding of causative agents are crucial for effective management.

Observation:

  • A young traveler returning from West Malaysia developed a severe and protracted illness.
  • The illness followed a seemingly minor skin infection.

Findings:

  • The causative agent was identified as an unusual *Streptococcus* strain.
  • This strain harbored the *speG* and *smeZ* superantigen genes, contributing to disease severity.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for severe STSS from seemingly innocuous skin infections.
  • Understanding the genetic makeup of *Streptococcus* strains, particularly superantigen genes, is vital for predicting and treating STSS.

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