toxic shock syndrome
A rare acute life-threatening systemic bacterial noncontagious illness caused by exotoxins from bacteria of either the Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus type. It is characterized by high fever, hypotension, rash, multi-organ dysfunction, and cutaneous desquamation during the early convalescent period. The toxins affect the host immune system, causing an exuberant and pathological host inflammatory response. Laboratory findings include leukocytosis, elevated prothrombin time, hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, and pyuria.