Toxic Shock Syndrome, 2007

In 2007, nine cases of suspect or probable staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) were reported. Of the reported cases, most (78%) were female and the median age was 14 years (range, 10 to 19 years). Five of the nine (56%) were menstrual-associated, three were wound-associated, and one had no source identified.

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome with isolate submission (if isolated) is reportable to MDH within one working day. MDH follows the 1997 CDC case definition which includes fever (temperature > 102.0°F or 38.9°C), rash (diffuse macular erythroderma), desquamation (within 1-2 weeks after onset of illness), hypotension (SBP < 90 mm Hg for adults or less than fifth percentile by age for children aged < 16 years; orthostatic drop in diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 15 mm Hg from lying to sitting, orthostatic syncope, or orthostatic dizziness), multisystem involvement (> 3 of the following: vomiting or diarrhea at onset of illness; severe myalgia or creatine phosphokinase level at least twice the upper limit of normal; vaginal, oropharyngeal, or conjunctival hyperemia; blood urea nitrogen or creatinine at least twice the upper limit of normal for laboratory or urinary sediment with pyuria (> 5 leukocytes per high-power field) in the absence of urinary tract infection; total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase enzyme, or asparate aminotransferase enzyme levels at least twice the upper limit of normal for laboratory; platelets less than 100,000/mm3; disorientation or alterations in consciousness without focal neurologic signs when fever and hypotension are absent); negative results for blood, throat, or cerebrospinal fluid cultures (blood culture may be positive for Staphylococcus aureus) or rise in titer to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, leptospirosis, or measles.

• For up to date information see>> Reporting Toxic Shock Syndrome
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2007