Toxic shock syndrome in a scald burn victim

A child with 12% total body surface area superficial and partial-thickness burns was admitted to the Oregon Burn Center. Within 48 hours of admission, signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) were present including high spiking fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension, conjunctival hyperemia, and a diffuse macular erythroderma. Cultures of skin pustules and burn wounds grew Staphylococcus aureus. This strain has been shown to produce staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). This case appears to be the first reported of toxic shock syndrome in a burn victim caused by staphylococcal enterotoxin B.