Evidence for postpartum toxic-shock syndrome in a mother-infant pair

Toxic-shock syndrome occurred in a mother and possibly in her infant in the immediate postpartum period. Staphylococcus aureus of identical phage type and antibiogram was recovered from mucous membranes in both patients. Staphylococci were transmitted from mother to infant during parturition. These cases represent the first postpartum clinical description and possible vertical transmission of this disease.