Annals of Clinical Microbiology, The official Journal of the Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology
Case report

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Associated with Intrauterine Fetal Death – A Case Report –

Soo Youn Lee, M.D., Jung Soo Lee, M.D., Mi Ae Lee, M.D., Wha Soon Chung, M.D. and Seon Ju Kim, M.D.*

Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea and Department of Clinical Pathology, Gyeungsang National University School of Medicine, Chinju, Korea*

Corresponding to Mi Ae Lee

Ann Clin Microbiol 1998;1(1):109-112.
Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology.

Abstract

The group A streptococcus is capable of producing exotoxins that have been linked to a toxic shock-like syndrome. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rapidly progressive associated with injury to multiple organ systems and a 30-60% mortality rate. These cases are very rare in Korea. We present a case of 32-year-old pregnant woman who developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome following intrauterine fetal death. She manifested hypotension, shock, increased level of creatinine, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, liver impairment, renal failure, pulmonary edema and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Blood cultures yielded Streptococcus pyogenes. After 17 hours on admission, she died in spite of massive transfusion, antibiotics therapy and ventilatory support. Clinicians should be alert to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this lethal infection.

Keywords

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, Intrauterine fetal death, Streptococcus pyogenes