Streptococcal
toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is characterized clinically by
shock and
multiple organ failure, combined with invasive group A
streptococcus (GAS)
infection. Invasive GAS
infection declined with the introduction of modern
antibiotics, but has recently arisen again globally with severe presentations like TSS. Cases of streptococcal TSS have been reported in
Korea since the 1990s and its
prevalence may increase. We
report the first case of GAS
pneumonia initially presenting as streptococcal TSS, as a
warning that this potentially fatal illness requires an
early diagnosis and prompt
treatment when
patients with
pneumonia develop
shock and
multiple organ failure.