Group B streptococcus toxic shock-like syndrome in a healthy woman: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection. The disease entity manifests clinically as fever, hypotension, diffuse macular erythema that progresses to desquamation, and dysfunction of > 3 organ systems. Toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) has the same clinical manifestation as TSS but is caused by Streptococcus, usually group A, C or G. Here we report on a healthy woman who experienced group B Streptococcus (GBS)-related TSLS, possibly related to tampon use. CASE: A 37-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, met the diagnostic criteria for TSS/TSLS 5 days after her last tampon use. Blood, urine and vaginal cultures were positive only for GBS. Analysis of the blood isolate suggested a novel GBS superantigen. CONCLUSION: This is the second reported case of GBS causing tampon-associated TSS/TSLS. Up to 40% of healthy menstruating women are vaginally colonized with GBS. Superantigens elaborated by staphylococci and streptococci induce an immunologic mediator storm that affects the circulatory and end-organ systems to produce the clinical picture. Prompt medical therapy involves large-volume isotonic fluid resuscitation and antibiotic coverage with vancomycin and an antistaphylococcal beta-lactam. Clindamycin may dampen the immunologic response and endotoxin production. Corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin may be useful adjuncts; however, nonsteroidal antiinflammatories should be avoided.

Incidence and management of abdominal sacrocolpopexy mesh erosions.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence and management of mesh erosions in patients undergoing abdominal sacrocolpopexy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of the abdominal sacrocolpopexy procedure (n = 92) between 1997 and 2003 was performed. Patients with mesh erosion were identified. Incidence by graft type and treatment required for erosion resolution was analyzed with chi 2 and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Erosions occurred in 7.6 % (7/92). Erosions were identified only in patients with Gore-Tex (3/33, 9%) or silicone-coated mesh (4/21, 19%) compared with none of 38 patients with polypropylene mesh (n = 24) or fascia (n = 14) grafts ( P = .068.). Partial excision of exposed graft resolved all 3 Gore-Tex erosions, compared with none of the silicone-coated mesh erosions ( P = .03). Complete graft removal was required to resolve silicone-coated mesh erosions. CONCLUSION: We observed a high rate of erosion with Gore-Tex and silicone-coated mesh. Partial graft excision was adequate for Gore-Tex erosions, but complete graft removal was necessary to resolve erosions associated with silicone-coated mesh.

The use of graft materials in anterior compartment pelvic reconstruction.

Since 1996, the number of reports in the urologic and gynecologic literature using synthetic and allograph prosthetics to enhance the durability of anterior compartment repairs have increased significantly. Central to the use of these prosthetics is long-term follow-up to demonstrate that their use actually confers a benefit to patients and surgeons alike. This review attempts to catalog those reports and the outcomes, with an emphasis on the cadaveric prolapse repair with sling, which is used by the authors for repair of anterior compartment prolapse with overt or occult genuine stress urinary incontinence.