Staphylococcal toxic shock: two fulminant cases with recovery.

Two young women with toxic shock syndrome are reported and compared with three previous New Zealand cases. Both presented with fulminant diarrhoea, confusion, collapse and an erythematous desquamating rash. One, complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation, rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria and renal failure, recovered following peritoneal dialysis. At the onset of their illnesses both were menstruating and using tampons. Light growths of Staphylococcus aureus were cultured from the vagina in one case and the faeces in the other. Successful treatment depended on a vigorous intensive care regime.