Tampon disease, still not past tense
Van de Meeberg, P.C.; Muller, H.P.; Henny, F.C.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 136(15): 750-752
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 1560869 Document Number: 394810
On the basis of three case histories we discuss the menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS), characterised by multi-organ involvement, fever, exanthema and shock. The symptoms are provoked by a toxin (TSST-1), a product of certain St. aureus strains. Rapid recognition is important in order to prevent complications such as the adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation or ventricular fibrillation. It appears that a tampon can lower the magnesium concentration in the vagina by a process of ion exchange, thus creating an environment that favours the production of TSST-1 by St. aureus. This knowledge may lead to preventive measures in the production of tampons in the future.