Streptococcus agalactiae toxic shock-like syndrome: two case reports and review of the literature

Medicine (Baltimore). 2013 Jan;92(1):10-14. doi: 10.1097/MD.0b013e31827dea11.

Abstract

We present 2 patients with Streptococcus agalactiae toxic shock-like syndrome and review another 11 well-reported cases from the literature. Streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome is a devastating illness with a high mortality rate, therefore we stress the importance of early supportive management, antimicrobial therapy, and surgical intervention. Toxic shock-like syndrome is likely to be underestimated in patients with invasive Streptococcus agalactiae infection who present with shock. Early diagnosis requires high suspicion of the illness, along with a thorough mucocutaneous examination. Streptococcus agalactiae produces uncharacterized pyrogenic toxins, which explains the ability of the organism to cause toxic shock-like syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Shock, Septic / diagnosis
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology*
  • Shock, Septic / therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification*