Infection · UKMLA & AKT
Toxic shock syndrome
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
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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