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Toxic Shock Syndrome: Multimedia

Author: Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC, Professor and Head, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; Site Director, Respiratory Medicine, St. Boniface General Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 1, 2009

Multimedia

Description of M proteins and streptococcal toxin...Media file 1: Description of M proteins and streptococcal toxins.
Description of M proteins and streptococcal toxin...

Description of M proteins and streptococcal toxins.

Group A streptococci cause beta hemolysis on bloo...Media file 2: Group A streptococci cause beta hemolysis on blood agar.
Group A streptococci cause beta hemolysis on bloo...

Group A streptococci cause beta hemolysis on blood agar.

Group A streptococci on Gram stain of blood isola...Media file 3: Group A streptococci on Gram stain of blood isolated from a patient who developed toxic shock syndrome. Courtesy of T. Matthews.
Group A streptococci on Gram stain of blood isola...

Group A streptococci on Gram stain of blood isolated from a patient who developed toxic shock syndrome. Courtesy of T. Matthews.

This schematic shows interaction among T-cell rec...Media file 4: This schematic shows interaction among T-cell receptor, superantigen, and class II major histocompatability complex. The binding of superantigen to class II molecules and T-cell receptors is not limited by antigen specificity and lies outside the normal antigen binding sites.
This schematic shows interaction among T-cell rec...

This schematic shows interaction among T-cell receptor, superantigen, and class II major histocompatability complex. The binding of superantigen to class II molecules and T-cell receptors is not limited by antigen specificity and lies outside the normal antigen binding sites.

Progression of soft tissue swelling to vesicle or...Media file 5: Progression of soft tissue swelling to vesicle or bullous formation is an ominous sign and suggests streptococcal shock syndrome. Courtesy of S. Manocha.
Progression of soft tissue swelling to vesicle or...

Progression of soft tissue swelling to vesicle or bullous formation is an ominous sign and suggests streptococcal shock syndrome. Courtesy of S. Manocha.

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...Media file 6: A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The leg was incised to exclude underlying necrotizing infection. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.
A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The leg was incised to exclude underlying necrotizing infection. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...Media file 7: A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. This patient also had streptococcal pharyngitis. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.
A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. This patient also had streptococcal pharyngitis. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...Media file 8: A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The patient had diffuse erythroderma, a characteristic feature of the syndrome. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.
A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The patient had diffuse erythroderma, a characteristic feature of the syndrome. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...Media file 9: A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The patient had diffuse erythroderma, a characteristic feature of the syndrome. The patient improved with antibiotics and intravenous gammaglobulin therapy. Several days later, a characteristic desquamation of the skin occurred over palms and soles. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.
A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing c...

A 46-year-old man presented with nonnecrotizing cellulitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The patient had diffuse erythroderma, a characteristic feature of the syndrome. The patient improved with antibiotics and intravenous gammaglobulin therapy. Several days later, a characteristic desquamation of the skin occurred over palms and soles. Courtesy of Rob Green, MD.

A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock....Media file 10: A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock. On physical examination, progressive swelling of the right groin was observed. On exploration, necrotizing cellulitis, but not fasciitis, was present. The cultures grew group A streptococci. The patient developed severe shock (toxic shock syndrome). The CT scanning helped evaluate the extent of infection and exclude other pathologies, such as psoas abscess, osteomyelitis, and inguinal hernia.
A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock....

A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock. On physical examination, progressive swelling of the right groin was observed. On exploration, necrotizing cellulitis, but not fasciitis, was present. The cultures grew group A streptococci. The patient developed severe shock (toxic shock syndrome). The CT scanning helped evaluate the extent of infection and exclude other pathologies, such as psoas abscess, osteomyelitis, and inguinal hernia.

A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock....Media file 11: A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock. On physical examination, progressive swelling of the right groin was observed. On exploration, necrotizing cellulitis, but not fasciitis, was present. The cultures grew group A streptococci. The patient developed severe shock (toxic shock syndrome). The CT scanning helped evaluate the extent of infection and exclude other pathologies, such as psoas abscess, osteomyelitis, and inguinal hernia.
A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock....

A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock. On physical examination, progressive swelling of the right groin was observed. On exploration, necrotizing cellulitis, but not fasciitis, was present. The cultures grew group A streptococci. The patient developed severe shock (toxic shock syndrome). The CT scanning helped evaluate the extent of infection and exclude other pathologies, such as psoas abscess, osteomyelitis, and inguinal hernia.

A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock....Media file 12: A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock. On physical examination, progressive swelling of the right groin was observed. On exploration, necrotizing cellulitis, but not fasciitis, was present. The cultures grew group A streptococci. The patient developed severe shock (toxic shock syndrome). The CT scanning helped evaluate the extent of infection and exclude other pathologies, such as psoas abscess, osteomyelitis, and inguinal hernia.
A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock....

A 58-year-old patient presented in septic shock. On physical examination, progressive swelling of the right groin was observed. On exploration, necrotizing cellulitis, but not fasciitis, was present. The cultures grew group A streptococci. The patient developed severe shock (toxic shock syndrome). The CT scanning helped evaluate the extent of infection and exclude other pathologies, such as psoas abscess, osteomyelitis, and inguinal hernia.

Necrotizing cellulitis of toxic shock syndrome.Media file 13: Necrotizing cellulitis of toxic shock syndrome.
Necrotizing cellulitis of toxic shock syndrome.

Necrotizing cellulitis of toxic shock syndrome.

Soft tissue infection secondary to group A strept...Media file 14: Soft tissue infection secondary to group A streptococci, leading to toxic shock syndrome.
Soft tissue infection secondary to group A strept...

Soft tissue infection secondary to group A streptococci, leading to toxic shock syndrome.

Extensive debridement of necrotizing fasciitis of...Media file 15: Extensive debridement of necrotizing fasciitis of the hand.
Extensive debridement of necrotizing fasciitis of...

Extensive debridement of necrotizing fasciitis of the hand.

The hand is healing following aggressive surgical...Media file 16: The hand is healing following aggressive surgical debridement of necrotizing fasciitis of the hand (see Image 15).
The hand is healing following aggressive surgical...

The hand is healing following aggressive surgical debridement of necrotizing fasciitis of the hand (see Image 15).

Necrosis of the little toe of the right foot and ...Media file 17: Necrosis of the little toe of the right foot and cellulitis of the foot secondary to group A streptococci.
Necrosis of the little toe of the right foot and ...

Necrosis of the little toe of the right foot and cellulitis of the foot secondary to group A streptococci.

More on Toxic Shock Syndrome

Overview: Toxic Shock Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Toxic Shock Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Toxic Shock Syndrome
Follow-up: Toxic Shock Syndrome
Multimedia: Toxic Shock Syndrome
References
Further Reading

References

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Further Reading

Clinical guidelines

Female barrier methods.
Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare - Professional Association.  2007 Jun.  17 pages.  NGC:006305

Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections.
Infectious Diseases Society of America - Medical Specialty Society.  2005 Nov 15.  34 pages.  NGC:004581

Clinical trials

Long Term Follow-up of Patients With Group A Streptococcal Infection Originating From the Genital Tract

Early-Onset Sepsis Surveillance Study

Related eMedicine topics

Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

Streptococcal Infection, Group A

Staphylococcal Infections

Toxic Shock Syndrome (Dermatoloy)

Toxic Shock Syndrome (Emergency Medicine)

Toxic Shock Syndrome (Pediatrics)

Keywords

toxic shock syndrome, TSS, flesh-eating disease, toxic shock, septic shock, Staphylococcus aureus, S aureus, group A Streptococcus, GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes, S pyogenes

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC, Professor and Head, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; Site Director, Respiratory Medicine, St. Boniface General Hospital
Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Thoracic Society, Canadian Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal Society of Medicine, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and World Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Cory Franklin, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; Director, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Cook County Hospital
Cory Franklin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: New York Academy of Sciences and Society of Critical Care Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Richard B Brown, MD, FACP, Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Richard B Brown, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Massachusetts Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD, Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital
Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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