[Fatal streptococcus A shock after thoracic surgery]

A 23-year-old man with relapsing pneumothorax underwent surgical removal of left apical lung bullae and pleural rubbing down. Forty-eight hours later, he suddenly developed a state of shock together with tachypnoea, oliguria, and a scarlet-like erythema of the face and trunk. Haemodynamic and other investigations led to the diagnosis of septic shock, although no portal of entry could be found. Despite antibiotics (vancomycin, gentamycin and pefloxacine) and symptomatic treatment, the patient's condition continued to worsen. He had a fever (40 degrees C) with abdominal tenderness. Exploratory laparotomy failed to disclose a septic foyer. On aspiration of the left thoracic cavity, a large pyothorax was found and 600 mls of pus were drained. Gram-positive cocci were found on staining and pefloxacine was replaced by mezlocillin. Nevertheless, the patient died within 24 h. Blood and pus cultures confirmed that the infection was due to a pyrogenic penicillin-sensitive group A Streptococcus. Similar cases have been described recently. Group A Streptococcus is suspected to cause severe infections with multiple organ failure, termed "toxic shock-like syndrome". The clinical similarity between the streptococcal and staphylococcal shocks calls for a precise bacteriological diagnosis, and treatment with antibiotics active on both germs.