Mechanism: exotoxin production. One consequence is the capillary leak syndrome.
The most common clinical scenario is following abortion or postpartum. Other risk factors are trauma and intravenous drug abuse.
Clinical features:
(1) fever (temperature > 38.0°C)
(2) tachycardia
(3) hypotension, often with refractory shock
(4) vomiting and/or diarrhea
(5) abdominal pain
(6) pleuroperitoneal effusions
(7) variable gas gangrene
The patient typically does not show a rash.
Laboratory features:
(1) leukemoid reaction (white blood cell count > 50,000 per µL with left shift)
(2) elevated hematocrit
The mortality rate is often high, especially if treatment is delayed.
