[Toxic shock syndrome caused by pyogenic bacteria].
Case reports and review of the literature.


BACKGROUND
Severe toxic shock syndrome caused by invasive infection with pyogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus pyogenes, with high mortality rates in cases of the latter, remained one of the most problematic chapters of critical care medicine to date.


OBJECTIVE
To give an overview on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, the complex therapeutical approaches of the syndrome and, on the role and mechanisms of action of bacterial superantigens in the pathophysiological processes as well.


RESULTS
Literary data, and some illustrative selected cases demonstrate that, the incidence of TSS shows increasing tendency worldwide and, that otherwise healthy, younger people are the most frequently affected. As for prognosis: early diagnosis and treatment with sufficient radicality are of decisive importance.
Gábor
Zsuzsa
Z
gezse@mail.enternet.hu
Szekeres
Sándor
S
Gacs
Mária
M
D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000097:blood; D013492:Suppuration / Q000382:microbiology
D018089:Superantigens