title: Group a Streptococcus causing necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome after medical termination of pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Group A Streptococcus is an aerobic gram-positive bacteria known to cause cutaneous infections. Invasive infections can lead to toxic shock syndrome with multiorgan failure and mortality rates of 25-48%.
  
  
  METHODS
  A healthy, young woman developed necrotizing fasciitis, myonecrosis, and toxic shock syndrome after an elective medical termination of pregnancy. This patient had confirmed group A Streptococcus on blood cultures and underwent surgical debridement. After aggressive surgical treatment, below-the-knee amputation, and antibiotic therapy, the patient survived.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates the need for prompt recognition and treatment of necrotizing fasciitis/toxic shock syndrome.
authors.affiliation: From the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Jennifer Linda
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Daif
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levie
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chudnoff
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Shohreh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahabi
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone