In Vitro Studies of Toxic Shock Toxin-1–secreting Staphylococcus aureusand Implications for Burn Care in Children

The main etiologic agent of toxic shock syndrome is the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) protein secreted by Staphylococcus aureus. Diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome is difficult and is significantly underdiagnosed in young children with burns due to the nonspecific presentation coupled with a rapid deterioration in patient condition.