Toxic Shock Syndrome: Comparison
Please note this is a comparison between Version 2 by Sirius Huang and Version 1 by Enora Atchade.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, life-threatening, toxin-mediated infectious process linked, in the vast majority of cases, to toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.

  • exotoxin
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • toxic shock syndrome toxin 1

1. Introduction

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, life-threatening, toxin-mediated infectious process that leads to rapid and severe shock, multiple organ failure syndrome, and death. Its occurrence is linked to the toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus (GAS)) in a vast majority of cases [1]. However, clinical case reports of TSS involving other bacteria have also been reported [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].
Scientific literature on TSS mainly consists of observational studies, clinical cases, and in vitro data. The levels of evidence are low, especially when addressing TSS related to pathogens other than S. aureus or S. pyogenes.

2. Pathophysiology of Toxic Shock Syndrome

The occurrence of TSS is linked to the bacterial secretion of superantigenic exotoxins, which are bacterial virulence factors genetically encoded and secreted. Superantigenic exotoxins are able to induce unconventional activation of T cells by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). During conventional T-cell activation, the APC absorbs foreign particles, processes protease digestion, and presents them as partially degraded in a specific binding groove in the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II), which is expressed on its surface. The Ag-MHC II complex binds to the surface of the T-cell receptor (TCR). This results in monoclonal activation of T cells specific to the antigen (Ag). In the TSS, the superantigen binds the TCR and MHC II outside the Ag presentation site with high affinity. This results in nonspecific, polyclonal lymphocyte activation of 5 to 30% of the total population of T cells [11,12,13][11][12][13]. This simultaneous polyclonal activation results in a significant activation of NF kappa B, which plays a major role in the generation and expansion of the inflammatory response [1]. This results in a massive release of proinflammatory cytokines, with clinical signs, such as capillary leakage, arterial hypotension, organ failure, and coagulation activation, usually being reported in this setting [1]. Physiopathological specificities of staphylococcal and streptococcal TSS are detailed in the corresponding subparts.

3. Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome

3.1. Initial Reports

The first description of this syndrome was published by James Todd and colleagues in The Lancet in 1978 [14]. The authors described a pediatric case series of seven children, with clinical presentations including high fever, cephalalgia, confusion, cutaneous rash, conjunctival hyperhemia, and digestive signs. The children progressed to a state of prolonged severe shock associated with renal and hepatic failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Exotoxin-producing S. aureus was isolated from the foci of infection (empyema and abscess) in two patients and in mucosal swabs (nasopharyngeal, vaginal, and tracheal) in four patients but not from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or urine. One patient died, while all the others survived and presented with desquamation of the palm of the hands or sole of the feet during recovery [14]. Staphylococcal TSS in adult patients was then described in the 1980s and predominantly involved menstruating women [15].

3.2. Diagnostic Criteria

The diagnostic criteria for staphylococcal TSS were proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the 1980s and revised in 2011 [1,16][1][16]. These criteria, combining clinical and laboratory aspects, are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Diagnostic criteria for staphylococcal and streptococcal TSS according to the CDC recommendations [1,17].
Diagnostic criteria for staphylococcal and streptococcal TSS according to the CDC recommendations [1][17].

References

  1. Lappin, E.; Ferguson, A.J. Gram-positive toxic shock syndromes. Lancet Infect. Dis. 2009, 9, 281–290.
  2. Armeftis, C.; Ioannou, A.; Lazarou, T.; Giannopoulos, A.; Dimitriadou, E.; Makrides, K.; Pana, Z.D. Staphylococcus epidermidis induced toxic shock syndrome (TSS) secondary to influenza infection. BMC Infect. Dis. 2023, 23, 583.
  3. Assimacopoulos, A.P.; Stoehr, J.A.; Schlievert, P.M. Mitogenic factors from group G streptococci associated with scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 1997, 418, 109–114.
  4. Schlievert, P.M.; Gocke, J.E.; Deringer, J.R. Group B streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome: Report of a case and purification of an associated pyrogenic toxin. Clin. Infect. Dis. 1993, 17, 26–31.
  5. Wagner, J.G.; Schlievert, P.M.; Assimacopoulos, A.P.; Stoehr, J.A.; Carson, P.J.; Komadina, K. Acute group G streptococcal myositis associated with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: Case report and review. Clin. Infect. Dis. 1996, 23, 1159–1161.
  6. Barnham, M.; Weightman, N.; Anderson, A.; Tanna, A. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: A description of 14 cases from North Yorkshire, UK. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2002, 8, 174–181.
  7. Pomputius, W.F.; Kilgore, S.H.; Schlievert, P.M. Probable enterotoxin-associated toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. BMC Pediatr. 2023, 23, 108.
  8. Goda, K.; Kenzaka, T.; Hoshijima, M.; Yachie, A.; Akita, H. Toxic shock syndrome with a cytokine storm caused by Staphylococcus simulans: A case report. BMC Infect. Dis. 2021, 21, 19.
  9. Pence, S.; Joshi, R.; Shweikeh, F.; Mouchli, M.; Shrestha, K. Clostridium sordellii: A Cause of Toxic Shock Syndrome after a Breach in the GI Tract. Cureus 2023, 15, e44604.
  10. Covin, B.D.; Chapa, H.; Pham, N. Clostridium perfringens of unclear origin causing pelvic inflammatory disease and toxic shock syndrome in a previously healthy young woman. BMJ Case Rep. 2021, 14, e242492.
  11. Grumann, D.; Nübel, U.; Bröker, B.M. Staphylococcus aureus toxins—Their functions and genetics. Infect. Genet. Evol. 2014, 21, 583–592.
  12. Celie, K.-B.; Colen, D.L.; Kovach, S.J.I. Toxic Shock Syndrome after Surgery: Case Presentation and Systematic Review of the Literature. Plast. Reconstr. Surg.-Glob. Open 2020, 8, e2499.
  13. Dinges, M.M.; Orwin, P.M.; Schlievert, P.M. Exotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2000, 13, 16–34.
  14. Todd, J.; Fishaut, M.; Kapral, F.; Welch, T. Toxic-shock syndrome associated with phage-group-I Staphylococci. Lancet 1978, 2, 1116–1118.
  15. Davis, J.P.; Chesney, P.J.; Wand, P.J.; LaVenture, M. Toxic-shock syndrome: Epidemiologic features, recurrence, risk factors, and prevention. N. Engl. J. Med. 1980, 303, 1429–1435.
  16. Berger, S.; Kunerl, A.; Wasmuth, S.; Tierno, P.; Wagner, K.; Brügger, J. Menstrual toxic shock syndrome: Case report and systematic review of the literature. Lancet Infect. Dis. 2019, 19, e313–e321.
  17. Wilkins, A.L.; Steer, A.C.; Smeesters, P.R.; Curtis, N. Toxic shock syndrome—The seven Rs of management and treatment. J. Infect. 2017, 74 (Suppl. S1), S147–S152.
  18. Contou, D.; Colin, G.; Travert, B.; Jochmans, S.; Conrad, M.; Lascarrou, J.-B.; Painvin, B.; Ferré, A.; Schnell, D.; La Combe, B.; et al. Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome: A French Nationwide Multicenter Retrospective Study. Clin. Infect. Dis. 2022, 74, 246–253.
  19. Sharma, H.; Smith, D.; Turner, C.E.; Game, L.; Pichon, B.; Hope, R.; Hill, R.; Kearns, A.; Sriskandan, S. Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in the United Kingdom. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2018, 24, 258–266.
  20. Adams, D.A.; Thomas, K.R.; Jajosky, R.A.; Foster, L.; Sharp, P.; Onweh, D.H.; Schley, A.W.; Anderson, W.J. Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions–United States, 2014. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2016, 63, 1–152.
  21. Osterholm, M.T.; Forfang, J.C. Toxic-shock syndrome in minnesota: Results of an active-passive surveillance system. J. Infect. Dis. 1982, 145, 458–464.
  22. Hajjeh, R.A.; Reingold, A.; Weil, A.; Shutt, K.; Schuchat, A.; Perkins, B.A. Toxic Shock Syndrome in the United States: Surveillance Update, 1979–1996. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 1999, 5, 807–810.
  23. DeVries, A.S.; Lesher, L.; Schlievert, P.M.; Rogers, T.; Villaume, L.G.; Danila, R.; Lynfield, R. Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome 2000–2006: Epidemiology, clinical features, and molecular characteristics. PLoS ONE 2011, 6, e22997.
  24. Schlievert, P.M.; Case, L.C.; Strandberg, K.L.; Tripp, T.J.; Lin, Y.C.; Peterson, M.L. Vaginal Staphylococcus aureus superantigen profile shift from 1980 and 1981 to 2003, 2004, and 2005. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2007, 45, 2704–2707.
  25. Schlievert, P.M.; Davis, C.C. Device-Associated Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2020, 33, e00032-19.
  26. Stolz, S.J.; Davis, J.P.; Vergeront, J.M.; Crass, B.A.; Chesney, P.J.; Wand, P.J.; Bergdoll, M.S. Development of Serum Antibody to Toxic Shock Toxin among Individuals with Toxic Shock Syndrome in Wisconsin. J. Infect. Dis. 1985, 151, 883–889.
  27. El Soufi, H.; El Soufi, Y.; Al-Nuaimi, S.; Bagheri, F. Toxic shock syndrome associated with menstrual cup use. IDCases 2021, 25, e01171.
  28. Neumann, C.; Kaiser, R.; Bauer, J. Menstrual Cup-Associated Toxic Shock Syndrome. Eur. J. Case Rep. Intern. Med. 2020, 7, 001825.
  29. Mitchell, M.A.; Bisch, S.; Arntfield, S.; Hosseini-Moghaddam, S.M. A confirmed case of toxic shock syndrome associated with the use of a menstrual cup. Can. J. Infect. Dis. Med. Microbiol. 2015, 26, 218–220.
  30. Klug, C.D.; Keay, C.R.; Ginde, A.A. Fatal Toxic Shock Syndrome from an Intrauterine Device. Ann. Emerg. Med. 2009, 54, 701–703.
  31. Descloux, E.; Perpoint, T.; Ferry, T.; Lina, G.; Bes, M.; Vandenesch, F.; Mohammedi, I.; Etienne, J. One in five mortality in non-menstrual toxic shock syndrome versus no mortality in menstrual cases in a balanced French series of 55 cases. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 2008, 27, 37–43.
  32. Truant, S.N.; Redolfi, D.M.; Sarratea, M.B.; Malchiodi, E.L.; Fernández, M.M. Superantigens, a Paradox of the Immune Response. Toxins 2022, 14, 800.
  33. Bohach, G.A.; Fast, D.J.; Nelson, R.D.; Schlievert, P.M. Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Pyrogenic Toxins Involved in Toxic Shock Syndrome and Related Illnesses. Crit. Rev. Microbiol. 1990, 17, 251–272.
  34. Whiting, J.L.; Rosten, P.M.; Chow, A.W. Determination by western blot (immunoblot) of seroconversions to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) toxin 1 and enterotoxin A, B, or C during infection with TSS- and non-TSS-associated Staphylococcus aureus. Infect. Immun. 1989, 57, 231–234.
  35. Deguchi, Y.; Horiuchi, Y.; Shojima, K.; Iwahashi, N.; Ikejima, M.; Ino, K.; Furukawa, K. Postpartum Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Toxic Shock Syndrome Caused by a Perineal Infection. Case Rep. Obstet. Gynecol. 2018, 2018, 2670179.
  36. Andrews, J.I.; Shamshirsaz, A.A.; Diekema, D.J. Nonmenstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Obstet. Gynecol. 2008, 112, 933–938.
  37. Collet, C.; Petsaris, O.; Lafforgue, N.; Poulain, P.; Gautier, P.; Michelet, C.; Donnio, P.-Y. Postpartum toxic shock syndrome due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus epidemic in community. Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2009, 144, 184–185.
  38. Brown, A.F.; Leech, J.M.; Rogers, T.R.; McLoughlin, R.M. Staphylococcus aureus Colonization: Modulation of Host Immune Response and Impact on Human Vaccine Design. Front. Immunol. 2014, 4, 507.
  39. Sakr, A.; Brégeon, F.; Mège, J.-L.; Rolain, J.-M.; Blin, O. Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization: An Update on Mechanisms, Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Subsequent Infections. Front. Microbiol. 2018, 9, 2419.
  40. Troeman, D.P.R.; Hazard, D.; Timbermont, L.; Malhotra-Kumar, S.; van Werkhoven, C.H.; Wolkewitz, M.; Ruzin, A.; Goossens, H.; Bonten, M.J.M.; Harbarth, S.; et al. Postoperative Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Patients with and without Preoperative Colonization. JAMA Netw. Open 2023, 6, e2339793.
  41. Naimi, H.M.; Tristan, A.; Bes, M.; Vandenesch, F.; Nazari, Q.A.; Laurent, F.; Dupieux, C. Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of nasal Staphylococcus aureus in the community of Kabul. J. Glob. Antimicrob. Resist. 2023, 34, 18–22.
  42. Cone, L.A.; Woodard, D.R.; Schlievert, P.M.; Tomory, G.S. Clinical and Bacteriologic Observations of a Toxic Shock–like Syndrome Due to Streptococcus pyogenes. N. Engl. J. Med. 1987, 317, 146–149.
  43. Stevens, D.L.; Tanner, M.H.; Winship, J.; Swarts, R.; Ries, K.M.; Schlievert, P.M.; Kaplan, E. Severe Group A Streptococcal Infections Associated with a Toxic Shock-like Syndrome and Scarlet Fever Toxin A. N. Engl. J. Med. 1989, 321, 1–7.
  44. Breiman, R.F.; Davis, J.P.; Facklam, R.R.; Gray, B.M.; Hoge, C.W.; Kaplan, E.L.; Mortimer, E.A.; Schlievert, P.M.; Schwartz, B.; Stevens, D.L.; et al. Defining the Group A Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome: Rationale and Consensus Definition. JAMA 1993, 269, 390–391.
  45. Plainvert, C.; Doloy, A.; Loubinoux, J.; Lepoutre, A.; Collobert, G.; Touak, G.; Trieu-Cuot, P.; Bouvet, A.; Poyart, C. Invasive group A streptococcal infections in adults, France (2006–2010). Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2012, 18, 702–710.
  46. Lamagni, T.; Neal, S.; Keshishian, C.; Hope, V.; George, R.; Duckworth, G.; Vuopio-Varkila, J.; Efstratiou, A. Severe Streptococcus pyogenes Infections, United Kingdom, 2003–2004. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2008, 14, 202–209.
  47. Lamagni, T.L.; Darenberg, J.; Luca-Harari, B.; Siljander, T.; Efstratiou, A.; Henriques-Normark, B.; Vuopio-Varkila, J.; Bouvet, A.; Creti, R.; Ekelund, K.; et al. Epidemiology of Severe Streptococcus pyogenes Disease in Europe. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2008, 46, 2359–2367.
  48. Lepoutre, A.; Doloy, A.; Bidet, P.; Leblond, A.; Perrocheau, A.; Bingen, E.; Trieu-Cuot, P.; Bouvet, A.; Poyart, C.; Lévy-Bruhl, D.; et al. Epidemiology of InvasiveStreptococcus pyogenesInfections in France in 2007. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2011, 49, 4094–4100.
  49. Stevens, D.L. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2002, 8, 133–136.
  50. Gruttadauria, M.; Pollard, J.; Kim, S.; Lian, X. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in the setting of recent gynecologic surgery: A case report. Case Rep. Women’s Health 2021, 32, e00352.
  51. Souyri, C.; Olivier, P.; Grolleau, S.; Lapeyre-Mestre, M.; French Network of Pharmacovigilance Centres. Severe necrotizing soft-tissue infections and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 2008, 33, 249–255.
  52. Hamilton, S.M.; Bayer, C.R.; Stevens, D.L.; Lieber, R.L.; Bryant, A.E. Muscle injury, vimentin expression, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs predispose to cryptic group A streptococcal necrotizing infection. J. Infect. Dis. 2008, 198, 1692–1698.
  53. Rink, L.; Kruse, A.; Nicklas, W.; Hoyer, J.; Kirchner, H. Induction of cytokines in human peripheral blood and spleen cells by the Mycoplasma arthritidis-derived superantigen. Lymphokine Cytokine Res. 1992, 11, 105–108.
  54. Dlaske, H.; Karaüzüm, H.; Monzon-Casanova, E.; Rudolf, R.; Starick, L.; Müller, I.; Wildner, G.; Diedrichs-Möhring, M.; Koch, N.; Miyoshi-Akiyama, T.; et al. Superantigen-presentation by rat major histocompatibility complex class II molecules RT1.Bl and RT1.Dl. Immunology 2009, 128 (Suppl. S1), e572–e581.
  55. Kreiswirth, B.N.; Schlievert, P.M.; Novick, R.P. Evaluation of coagulase-negative staphylococci for ability to produce toxic shock syndrome toxin 1. J. Clin. Microbiol. 1987, 25, 2028–2029.
  56. Madhusoodanan, J.; Seo, K.S.; Remortel, B.; Park, J.Y.; Hwang, S.Y.; Fox, L.K.; Park, Y.H.; Deobald, C.F.; Wang, D.; Liu, S.; et al. An Enterotoxin-Bearing Pathogenicity Island in Staphylococcus epidermidis. J. Bacteriol. 2011, 193, 1854–1862.
  57. Stach, C.S.; Vu, B.G.; Schlievert, P.M. Determining the Presence of Superantigens in Coagulase Negative Staphylococci from Humans. PLoS ONE 2015, 10, e0143341.
  58. Crass, B.A.; Bergdoll, M.S. Involvement of coagulase-negative staphylococci in toxic shock syndrome. J. Clin. Microbiol. 1986, 23, 43–45.
  59. Lina, G.; Fleer, A.; Etienne, J.; Greenland, T.B.; Vandenesch, F. Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from two cases of toxic shock syndrome lack superantigenic activity, but induce cytokine production. FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 1996, 13, 81–86.
More
Video Production Service