ackground : Toxic shock syndrome(TSS) is an acute multisystem illness characterized by
faver hypotension, erythematous rash followed by desquanmation of the skin upon recovery
and a multisystem organ failure. TSS is caused by Staphylococcus aureus which produces
TSST-1 and other enterotoxins. To date, TSS is known to be an extremely rare disease in
Korea. However, we experienced 7 cases od TSS at the Asan Medical Center during the
period from February 1991 to July 1992. To analyze the clinical features and to reconsider the
incidence of TSS in Korea, we performed a retrospective analysis of 7 cases of TSS.
Method : All cases were diagnosed as TSS during admission according to the cas
definition of Center for disease control(CDC). We reviewed medical records of these patients
to analyze the demographic data, clinical features, treatment, and outcome.
Results : All cases were non-menstrual TSS, with the predisposing conditions such as
surgical wound infection, cellulitis, and empyema. The average age was 37 and male patients
were 4. Six of 7 patients had dequamation of the skin 1 or 2 weeks after the onset with
acute multisystem failures. S.aureus were documented in 5 cases. All cases were treated with
anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Two patients died of multiorgan failure despite of intensive
care. There were no reiapses in survived patients.
Conclusion : These data suggest that TSS is not a rare disease in Korea and should be
included in the differential diagnosis in patients with suspected septic chock with multiorgan
failure.
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