Toxic Shock Syndrome: Staphylococcal and Streptococcal

Infectious agent: :  Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus)

Description of illness: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by toxins produce d by either Staphylococcus aureus (non-streptococcal TSS) or group A Streptococcus (streptococcal TSS) bacterium. Both can present suddenly with fever, chills and rapidly progress to a severe drop in blood pressure and multi-system organ failure. Staphylococcal TSS often includes a sunburn-like rash which is only occasionally seen in streptococcal TSS. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) fatality rate may exceed 50%.