Infection · UKMLA & AKT

Toxic shock syndrome

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise toxic shock syndrome — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.

Key high-yield points

  • Life-threatening toxin-mediated emergency caused by Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA/MRSA) or Group A Streptococcus
  • Mechanism: bacterial superantigens bypass normal antigen presentation, activating up to 20% of T cells simultaneously → massive cytokine storm (TNF-alpha, IL-1) → vasodilation, capillary leak, multiorgan failure
  • Mortality approximately 8%; streptococcal TSS carries higher mortality than staphylococcal TSS

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Related UKMLA topics

AbscessHelicobacter pyloriTyphoidMumpsInfluenzaTetanus