title: Steroids in the treatment of group A streptococcal necrotizing soft tissue infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Group A streptococcal necrotizing soft-tissue infection with toxic shock is a life-threatening disease. Corticosteroid use in the treatment of this process has been reported rarely.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports and review of pertinent literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two infections caused by the same clonal strain of Streptococcus pyogenes are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cases illustrate the possible utility of high-dose steroids in the treatment of this process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1211 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. Addison.may@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Addison K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Titus L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Obremskey
authors.forename: Allen B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Talbot
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids