Gram-positive Toxic Shock Syndromes: A Pathophysiological Review (original) (raw)

Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome: Mechanisms and Management

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rare complication of Staphylococcus aureus infection in which bacterial toxins act as superantigens, activating very large numbers of T cells and generating an overwhelming immune-mediated cytokine avalanche that manifests clinically as fever, rash, shock, and rapidly progressive multiple organ failure, often in young, previously healthy patients. The syndrome can occur with any site of S. aureus infection, and so clinicians of all medical specialties should have a firm grasp of the presentation and management. In this article, we review the literature on the pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment of this serious condition with emphasis on recent insights into pathophysiology and on information of relevance to the practicing clinician.

The Management of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome. A Case Report

The Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 2016

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is most frequently produced by TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1) and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), and only rarely by enterotoxins A, C, D, E, and H. Various clinical pictures can occur depending on severity, patient age and immune status of the host. Severe forms, complicated by sepsis, are associated with a death rate of 50-60%. The case of a Caucasian female infant, aged seven weeks, hospitalized with a diffuse skin rash, characterized as allergodermia, who initially developed TSS with axillary intertrigo, is reported. TSS was confirmed according to 2011 CDC criteria, and blood cultures positive for Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Severe development occurred initial, including acidosis, consumption coagulopathy, multiple organ failures (MOF), including impaired liver and kidney function. Central nervous system damage was manifest by seizures. Clinical management included medical supervision by a multidisciplinary team of infe...

Involvement of coagulase-negative staphylococci in toxic shock syndrome

Journal of clinical microbiology, 1986

Coagulase-negative staphylococci that produce toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) or a staphylococcal enterotoxin or both were isolated from various sources. Coagulase-negative strains that produce TSST-1 alone or with enterotoxin A were the only staphylococci isolated from seven patients with toxic shock syndrome. Two other toxic shock syndrome patients had coagulase-positive staphylococci also, but only the coagulase-negative strains produced TSST-1. Coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative strains that produced TSST-1 were isolated from two other toxic shock syndrome patients. In addition, coagulase-negative staphylococci that produced toxins were isolated from patients with other staphylococcal infections and from food implicated in a case of food poisoning.

Superantigens and Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2003

Superantigens produced by Streptococcus pyogenes have been implicated with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). We analyzed 19 acute-phase serum samples for mitogenic activity from patients with severe streptococcal disease. The serum samples from two patients in the acute phase of STSS showed strong proliferative activity. Streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin (SME) Z-1 and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE)-J were identified in one patient with peritonitis who recovered after 2 weeks in intensive care. SMEZ-16 was found in a second patient who died on the day of admission. Sequential serum samples taken on day 3 after admission from patient 1 showed clearance of mitogenic activity but absence of neutralizing anti-SMEZ antibodies. Serum samples taken on day 9 from this patient showed evidence of seroconversion with high levels of anti-SMEZ antibodies that neutralized SMEZ-1 and 12 other SMEZ-variants. These results imply that a high level of SMEZ production by group A streptococcus is a causative event in the onset and subsequent severity of STSS.

Determination by western blot (immunoblot) of seroconversions to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) toxin 1 and enterotoxin A, B, or C during infection with TSS- and non-TSS-associated Staphylococcus aureus

Infection and Immunity, 1989

Serum antibody responses to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) toxin 1 (TSST-1) and staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, and C were determined by western blot (immunoblot) analysis of acute- and convalescent-phase paired sera from 18 TSS- and 31 non-TSS-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections. Compared with non-TSS cases, seroconversion to TSST-1 was significantly more frequent among both menstrual (5 of 8 versus 1 of 31; P less than 0.001) and nonmenstrual (3 of 10; P less than 0.05) patients. Seroconversion to staphylococcal enterotoxin A was also more frequent among both menstrual (2 of 8 versus 0 of 31; P less than 0.05) and nonmenstrual (2 of 9; P less than 0.05) TSS patients. In general, patients with TSS associated with TSST-1-positive S. aureus were more likely to seroconvert exclusively to TSST-1 (4 of 12 versus 0 of 6; P = 0.16), whereas those associated with TSST-1-negative S. aureus were more likely to seroconvert exclusively to enterotoxins (3 of 6 versus 0 of 11; P less than ...

Severe group a streptococcal infection and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie, 2000

Purpose: To review the literature on group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, (STSS). Data source: Medline and EMBASE searches were conducted using the key words group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, alone and in combination with anesthesia; and septic shock, combined with anesthesia. Medline was also searched using key words intravenous immunoglobulin, (IVIG) and group A streptococcus, (GAS); and group A streptococcus and antibiotic therapy. Other references were included in this review if they addressed the history, microbiology, pathophysiology, incidence, mortality, presentation and management of invasive GAS infections. Relevant references from the papers reviewed were also considered. Articles on the foregoing topics were included regardless of study design. Non-English language studies were excluded. Literature on the efficacy of IVIG and optimal antibiotic therapy was specifically searched. Principal findings: Reports of invasive GAS infections have recently increased. Invasive GAS infection is associated with a toxic shock syndrome, (STSS), in 8-14% of cases. The STSS characteristically results in shock and multi-organ failure soon after the onset of symptoms, and is associated with a mortality of 33-81%. Many of these patients will require extensive soft tissue debridement or amputation in the operating room, on an emergency basis. The extent of tissue debridement required is often underestimated before skin incision. Conclusions: Management of STSS requires volume resuscitation, vasopressor/inotrope infusion, antibiotic therapy and supportive care in an intensive care unit, usually including mechanical ventilation. Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion has been recommended. Further studies are needed to define the role of IVIG in STSS management and to determine optimal anesthetic management of patients with septic shock. Objectif: Passer en revue la documentation sur le syndrome de choc toxique streptococcique de groupe A (SCTS). Sources: Des recherches ont été menées dans Medline et EMBASE en utilisant les mots-clés: group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, seul et en combinaison avec anesthesia; septic shock, combiné avec anesthesia. Dans Medline, nous avons aussi utilisé les entrées intravenous immunoglobulin (immunoblobuline intraveineuse, IGIV) et group A streptococcus (streptocoque du groupe A, SGA) et antibiotic therapy. Nous avons retenu d'autres références qui concernaient l'histoire, la microbiologie, la physiopathologie, l'incidence, la mortalité, la présentation et le traitement des infections invasives de SGA. Les références pertinentes provenant des articles révisés ont aussi été conservées. Les articles concernant les sujets déjà cités ont été retenus sans tenir compte du type d'étude. On a exclu les études d'autres langues que l'anglais. La documentation sur l'efficacité de l'IGIV et sur l'antibiothérapie optimale a été spécialement recherchée. Constatations principales : Les articles sur les infections envahissantes de SGA ont récemment augmenté. L'infection invasive de SGA est associée au syndrome de choc toxique (SCTS) dans 13-14 % des cas. Le SCTS cause, de façon caractéristique, un choc et une défaillance multiorganique peu après l'apparition des symptômes. Il s'accompagne d'un taux de mortalité de 33-81 %. Nombre des patients atteints auront besoin, de manière urgente, d'un débridement considérable du tissu mou ou d'une amputation. L'étendue du débridement tissulaire requis est souvent sous-estimée avant l'incision cutanée. Conclusion : Le traitement du SCTS exige la restauration de la masse sanguine, des perfusions de vasopresseurs/inotropes, une antibiothérapie et des soins de soutien, incluant habituellement une ventilation mécanique, à l'unité des soins intensifs. La perfusion intraveineuse d'immunoglobuline est recommandée. D'autres études sont nécessaires pour définir le rôle de l'IGIV dans le traitement du SCTS et déterminer la ligne de conduite anesthésique la plus avantageuse pour les patients en choc septique.

Refractory Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome from Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis and Intravenous Immunoglobulin as Salvage Therapy: A Case Series

Case reports in infectious diseases, 2016

Infections from Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis (SDSE) can cause a wide variety of infections, ranging from mild cellulitis to invasive disease, such as endocarditis and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS). Despite prompt and appropriate antibiotics, mortality rates associated with shock have remained exceedingly high, prompting the need for adjunctive therapy. IVIG has been proposed as a possible adjunct, given its ability to neutralize a wide variety of superantigens and modulate a dysregulated inflammatory response. We present the first reported cases of successful IVIG therapy for reversing shock in the treatment of SDSE TSLS.