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Toxic-shock syndrome: A commentary and review of the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains

Syndrom des toxischen Schocks: Kommentar und Übersicht über die Charakteristika der Staphylococcus aureus-Stämme

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Summary

Toxic-shock syndrome (TSS) was first identified in 1978 in children as a toxin-mediated illness associated withStaphylococcus aureus. Extensive publicity ensued when the strong association of this disease with menses and tampon use was recognized in 1980. Since that time, investigation into the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of TSS has coincided with a decreasing incidence of disease. A unique exotoxin has been isolated under varying physico-chemical conditions from TSS-associated strains ofS. aureus and its effect on immune function and other parameters bothin vitro andin vivo described. In addition, TSS-associatedS. aureus strains have been found to have characteristic heavy metal susceptibility patterns, to be lysogenized and to show decreased hemolysis on sheep blood agar. Preliminary results of the prevalence of TSS-associated strains ofS. aureus and of the theories of pathogenesis are reviewed.

Zusammenfassung

Das Syndrom des toxischen Schocks (TSS) wurde erstmals 1978 bei Kindern als Toxin-vermittelte, mitStaphylococcus aureus assoziierte Krankheit identifiziert. Die 1980 erkannte, enge Assoziation dieser Krankheit mit Menses und Tampongebrauch erregte erhebliches öffentliches Interesse. Seitdem wurde intensiv über die Epidemiologie, die klinischen Manifestationsformen und die Pathogenese des TSS geforscht; gleichzeitig nahm die Inzidenz an Erkrankungen ab. Aus TSS-assoziierten Stämmen vonS. aureus wurde unter verschiedenen physikalisch-chemischen Bedingungen ein besonderes Exotoxin isoliert, und es wurden seineIn vitro- undIn vitro-Wirkungen auf immunologische Funktionen und andere Parameter beschrieben. Außerdem wurde herausgefunden, daß ASS-assoziierteS. aureus-Stämme ein charakteristisches Empfindlichkeitsprofil gegenüber Schwermetallen haben, lysogeniert werden und auf Schafblutagar verminderte Hämolyse zeigen. Die vorläufigen Ergebnisse von Studien zur Prävalenz TSS-assoziierter Stämme vonS. aureus und Theorien zur Pathogenese werden in einer Übersicht dargestellt.

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    P. Joan Chesney M. D.

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Chesney, P.J. Toxic-shock syndrome: A commentary and review of the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains. Infection 11, 181–188 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01641192

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