An Australian case of Streptococcus suis toxic shock syndrome associated with occupational exposure to animal carcasses

Med J Aust. 2008 May 5;188(9):538-9. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01771.x.

Abstract

Streptococcus suis is known to cause sporadic infections in people who have occupational exposure to pigs and pig meat. A large outbreak occurred in China in 2005, where there was 62% mortality among those who developed toxic shock syndrome. Despite S. suis being common in pigs, this is the first published report of a human case of S. suis toxic shock syndrome in Australia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / diagnosis
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / drug therapy
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / microbiology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / drug therapy
  • Occupational Diseases / microbiology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • RNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Shock, Septic / diagnosis
  • Shock, Septic / drug therapy
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / transmission
  • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Streptococcus suis / genetics
  • Streptococcus suis / isolation & purification*
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / diagnosis
  • Swine Diseases / microbiology
  • Swine Diseases / transmission*
  • Syndrome
  • Victoria

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA, Bacterial