[Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome].

The case of a 31 year old woman with staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome is reported. The usual clinical characteristics were found: it began during a menstrual period, and she presented with a state of shock, a high fever and a cutaneous eruption. Its evolution was marked by pulmonary interstitial oedema and acute renal failure requiring dialysis; the patient recovered but residual renal failure was still present four months later. A Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from vaginal, nasal and tracheal cultures. It produced enterotoxins A and F, which were responsible for the symptoms.