A severe puerperal group A streptococcal infection causing a toxic shock-like syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is classically associated with vaginal recovery of Staphylococcus aureus during menses. In this case a patient presented with fever, rash, abdominal pain and signs of shock, 6 days postpartum. Blood cultures were negative but endometrial cultures were positive for Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. This case presents a toxic shock-like syndrome due to streptococcus, (toxic streptococcus syndrome) and points out the importance of culturing these patients for organisms other than Staphylococcus aureus.