Toxic shock syndrome after laminaria insertion.
BACKGROUND
Laminaria tents used to facilitate surgical abortion are rarely associated with significant infectious morbidity.


METHODS
A parous woman in midpregnancy had laminaria placed in her cervix followed by a second set after 24 hours. Eight hours later, she presented with dyspnea, hives, fever, tachycardia, and hypotension. Antibiotic treatment was initiated and a dilation and evacuation procedure was performed. Amniotic membrane cultures showed a heavy growth of Staphylococcus aureus with staphylococcal enterotoxin C expression, compatible with toxic shock syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Laminaria cervical dilation might be associated with toxic shock syndrome.
Sutkin
G
G
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. obggs@ttuhsc.edu
Capelle
S D
SD
Schlievert
P M
PM
Creinin
M D
MD
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007795:Laminaria; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors