Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis
Abstract Background We describe a case of a toxic shock-like syndrome in a child, which was associated with Staphylococcus epidermidis instead of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, the usual causes of toxic shock syndrome. Case presentation The patient was an 8-year-old boy who develop...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Pediatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-03914-5 |
| _version_ | 1797863552661323776 |
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| author | William F. Pomputius Samuel H. Kilgore Patrick M. Schlievert |
| author_facet | William F. Pomputius Samuel H. Kilgore Patrick M. Schlievert |
| author_sort | William F. Pomputius |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background We describe a case of a toxic shock-like syndrome in a child, which was associated with Staphylococcus epidermidis instead of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, the usual causes of toxic shock syndrome. Case presentation The patient was an 8-year-old boy who developed a toxic shock syndrome-like illness, including fever, hypotension, and rash. The Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate was cultured from urine, but this organism was unavailable for toxin testing. Multiple blood cultures were negative. Instead, a highly novel assay was used on acute plasma from the patient which demonstrated the presence of the genes for superantigens, staphylococcal enterotoxins A, C, D, and E. Superantigens are the known causes of toxic shock syndrome. Conclusions Our study suggests strongly that Staphylococcus epidermidis was causing the TSS symptoms through the known Staphylococcus aureus superantigens. It is unknown how many other such patients exist; this should be explored. Of great importance is that PCR performed directly on blood plasma in the absence of microbial isolation could be used to demonstrate superantigen genes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:37:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a07eed7b8ac64a40a93703ea01750d4f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2431 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:37:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-a07eed7b8ac64a40a93703ea01750d4f2023-03-22T12:24:02ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312023-03-012311610.1186/s12887-023-03914-5Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidisWilliam F. Pomputius0Samuel H. Kilgore1Patrick M. Schlievert2Division of Infectious Disease, Children’s MinnesotaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaAbstract Background We describe a case of a toxic shock-like syndrome in a child, which was associated with Staphylococcus epidermidis instead of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, the usual causes of toxic shock syndrome. Case presentation The patient was an 8-year-old boy who developed a toxic shock syndrome-like illness, including fever, hypotension, and rash. The Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate was cultured from urine, but this organism was unavailable for toxin testing. Multiple blood cultures were negative. Instead, a highly novel assay was used on acute plasma from the patient which demonstrated the presence of the genes for superantigens, staphylococcal enterotoxins A, C, D, and E. Superantigens are the known causes of toxic shock syndrome. Conclusions Our study suggests strongly that Staphylococcus epidermidis was causing the TSS symptoms through the known Staphylococcus aureus superantigens. It is unknown how many other such patients exist; this should be explored. Of great importance is that PCR performed directly on blood plasma in the absence of microbial isolation could be used to demonstrate superantigen genes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-03914-5Case reportStaphylococcus epidermidisEnterotoxinToxic shock syndromeUrinary tract infection |
| spellingShingle | William F. Pomputius Samuel H. Kilgore Patrick M. Schlievert Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis BMC Pediatrics Case report Staphylococcus epidermidis Enterotoxin Toxic shock syndrome Urinary tract infection |
| title | Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis |
| title_full | Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis |
| title_fullStr | Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis |
| title_short | Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis |
| title_sort | probable enterotoxin associated toxic shock syndrome caused by staphylococcus epidermidis |
| topic | Case report Staphylococcus epidermidis Enterotoxin Toxic shock syndrome Urinary tract infection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-03914-5 |
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