Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) caused by the streptococcus bacteria may have higher incidence than previously thought and is associated with higher mortality in children than staphylococcal infections, according to a new report.
The first comprehensive population based surveillance study of the rate of cases of toxic shock syndrome presenting in children under 16 years of age in the UK and Republic of Ireland, has been published in Archives of Disease in Childhood. The study confirms that, although the incidence of TSS is low – less than 4 per million – the majority of these are likely to be a result of streptococcal infection rather than staphylococcal infection (the type more commonly associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome). It also revealed that only 10% of cases are associated with tampon use.
