Toxic shock syndrome: a review.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute illness that affects multiple organ systems. It is a disorder of particular interest to obstetricians and gynecologists because it primarily affects otherwise healthy menstruating women who use tampons. The pathogenesis remains unknown. However, Staphylococcus aureus has been isolated from either focal lesions or the vagina in most cases and a staphylococcal exotoxin is believed to be the causative agent. The epidemiologic characteristics, risk factors, clinical findings, criteria for diagnosis, and recommendations for treatment are reviewed.