The clinical spectrum of toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a recently recognized acute multisystem illness that may recur. Epidemiologic links with menstruation and use of tampons have been identified. We report the cases of seven patients (six women and one man), 12 to 31 years old, seen over nine months, who met the criteria for TSS. Four were menstruating at onset. All had hypotension, fever, erythematous rash and distal desquamation. A prodrome of myalgias and diarrhea occurred in all patients. Clinical features of the acute illness included pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, leukocytosis and renal dysfunction (7), hepatobiliary abnormalities (6), mental confusion (6) and coagulopathy (4). In three patients, examination of cerebrospinal fluid showed abnormalities. The illness progressed in three patients to adult respiratory distress syndrome and significant cardiac dysfunction. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from mucosal sites in six. The disease recurred in two. There were no deaths. Possible transmissibility was illustrated by two patients, a married couple, with simultaneous illnesses. Pathophysiologic features of TSS suggest a toxicogenic cause. Management consists of early recognition, vigorous fluid resuscitation, inotropic support as needed, discontinuation of tampon use and treatment with antistaphylococcal antimicrobic drugs.