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Toxic shock syndrome complicating influenza A in a child: case report and review
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Insights
Toxic shock syndrome is rare in children. This report details a third case of toxic shock syndrome in a child with influenza A, highlighting the link between epidemic influenza and this serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a severe, multi-system illness, typically associated with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes toxins.
- While TSS is well-documented in adults, its occurrence in pediatric populations is less common.
- Previous reports indicate a rare association between TSS and influenza A, with only two documented cases prior to this study.
Observation:
- This study presents a case of TSS in a pediatric patient with concurrent influenza A infection.
- The patient's presentation and clinical course are detailed, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges.
- The case adds to the limited evidence linking influenza A with TSS in children.
Findings:
- The case confirms that toxic shock syndrome can occur in children with influenza A.
- This finding expands the known spectrum of influenza A complications.
- The review of literature supports a potential association between epidemic influenza and TSS, termed "Thucydides syndrome".
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering TSS in children presenting with severe illness during influenza season, particularly with influenza A.
- Increased awareness may lead to earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association between influenza A and TSS.
Abstract:
Despite extensive literature on toxic shock syndrome, reports of its manifestations in children remain relatively uncommon. Similarly, toxic shock syndrome in association with influenza B or influenza-like illness has been reported in 12 patients, but it has been reported to occur following influenza A in only two patients to date. We report a third case of toxic shock syndrome in a child with influenza A and review the association between epidemic influenza and toxic shock syndrome ("the Thucydides syndrome").