Toxic shock syndrome in the postoperative patient.

Toxic shock syndrome occurred in two patients within seven days of operation in women in whom Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the wound incisions. Both patients had negative vaginal cultures. One patient was menstruating at the time of onset of the disease and the other was seven days' postpartum. Although toxic shock syndrome mainly occurs in menstruating women who use tampons and have positive vaginal cultures for Staphylococcus aureus, wound infection may also be a source for toxin production and adsorption.