Toxic shock-like syndrome

Pharmacotherapy. 1992;12(1):23-7.

Abstract

Invasive group A streptococcal infection has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications in patients with necrotizing fasciitis. We cared for a man with the full-blown syndrome in whom many features of toxic shock syndrome were present, including profound hypotension and renal failure. The diagnostic similarities of toxic shock syndrome and the toxic shock-like syndrome caused by group A Streptococcus could have led to inappropriate treatment. Successful therapy in our patient included high doses initially of broad-spectrum antibiotics, repeated operative debridement of the lower leg (the affected limb), and ultimately, reconstructive surgery consisting primarily of split-thickness skin grafts. The reemergence of invasive streptococcal infections may relate to changes either in virulence factors of the causative streptococcus or in exotoxins elaborated by this microorganism. A causative relationship between an exotoxin produced by group A Streptococcus and the toxic shock-like syndrome has not yet been established.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Debridement
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fasciitis / diagnosis*
  • Fasciitis / microbiology
  • Fasciitis / surgery
  • Fasciitis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Leg* / pathology
  • Male
  • Necrosis / diagnosis
  • Necrosis / microbiology
  • Necrosis / surgery
  • Necrosis / therapy
  • Shock, Septic / diagnosis*
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes* / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents