Invasive group A streptococcal infections with hypotension, and multiorgan involvement from toxins released from the organism and associated with a 50% or greater mortality rate.
An acute, toxic mediated illness manifested by fever, hypotension, and multi organ dysfunction.
The process progresses quickly, making prompt diagnosis and treatment essential.
The toxic shock syndrome is caused by a host response to super antigens produced by streptococci.
Soluble streptococcal M proteins and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin, bind as intact proteins directly to the major histocompatibility complex class II molecule and simultaneously to variable V beta region on T cell receptors.
T-cell activation produces cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor, Interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 leading to recruitment in for the activation of additional T and B cells.