[Menstrual toxic shock syndrome]

A 15 year old girl presented twice with severe symptoms of multiorgan disease during a period of 4 weeks resulting in intensive care necessary to control illness. According to case definition criteria, a toxic shock syndrome was diagnosed on second admission. This could be confirmed by proof of TSST-1. Beside antibiotics, no specific treatment was used and complete clinical recovery occurred with symptomatic therapy. Discussing the menstrual toxic shock syndrome we point out different aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease including the possible role of tampon use. With regard to the results of several investigators, clinical symptoms of toxic shock syndrome could be the consequence of an uncontrolled immunologic reaction. Looking at this concept, more effective therapy may be available in the near future.