Acute cholestasis in patients with toxic- shock syndrome.

Serum liver function tests were performed in 22 females fulfilling the criteria for toxic-shock syndrome. All patients showed evidence of hepatic dysfunction during their hospital course. These findings included hyperbilirubinemia in the absence of laboratory evidence for significant hemolysis, mold elevation of the transaminases, threefold increase in their serum bile salt concentration, and hypoalbuminemia. These findings are best explained by hypoperfusion of the liver and a canalicular injury secondary to staphylococcal exotoxin. Cholestasis appears to be a universal finding in toxic-shock syndrome.