A case of toxic shock syndrome from an abrasion caused by a motorcycle accident

Abstract

The patient was a 20-year-old man who developed toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from a right knee abrasion caused by a motorcycle accident. The main symptoms were fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. TSS was suspected from the laboratory examination results, gastrointestinal symptoms, conjunctival hyperemia, and skin flushing. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated by culture of skin samples from the right knee abrasion. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), one of the superantigens, were positive. Blood culture tests were negative in two sets of samples (four bottles). In addition to an inappropriate right knee abrasion treatment, the presence of S. aureus producing the TSST-1- gene on the skin of the patient’s right knee is also considered to be the cause of the onset of TSS.