Early and Definitive Diagnosis of Toxic Shock Syndrome by Detection of Marked Expansion of T-Cell-Receptor Vβ2-Positive T Cells

摘要

We describe two cases of early toxic shock syndrome,caused by the superantigen produced from methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus and diagnosed on the basis of anexpansion of T-cell-receptor Vβ2-positive T cells. One case-patient showed atypical symptoms. Our results indicate thatdiagnostic systems incorporating laboratory techniques areessential for rapid, definitive diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome