Toxic shock syndrome in the burned patient

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 1, 2026

A Standardized Procedure of Dressing Management for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
07:22

A Standardized Procedure of Dressing Management for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Published on: March 14, 2025

V Edwards-Jones1, S G Shawcross

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, England, UK.

British Journal of Biomedical Science
|June 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is increasingly recognized in children with burns. This serious bacterial infection, often linked to tampon use, can affect burn patients, particularly children, who typically recover well from burns.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Burn Care
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is commonly associated with tampon use.
  • There is growing recognition of TSS in specialized burn units across the UK.
  • TSS primarily impacts children with small-percentage burns, a group usually expected to recover fully.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the increasing awareness and incidence of TSS in pediatric burn patients.
  • To differentiate the risk of TSS in children versus adult burn patients.
  • To explore potential reasons for the observed differences in TSS incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Observational data from specialized burn units in the United Kingdom.
  • Analysis of pediatric burn patient admissions and confirmed TSS cases.
  • Comparison of TSS incidence between pediatric and adult burn patient populations.

Main Results:

  • Four confirmed cases of TSS were observed over a two-year period in a unit admitting 100-150 pediatric patients annually.
  • TSS appears to be a significant concern in pediatric burn patients, potentially complicating recovery.
  • The incidence of TSS seems lower in adult burn patients compared to children.

Conclusions:

  • Burn units should be aware of the potential for TSS in pediatric patients, even with small burns.
  • Age-related differences in antibody production may explain the lower incidence of TSS in adult burn patients.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and risk factors of TSS in burn populations.

More Related Videos

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection08:40

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection

Published on: August 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison01:14

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...