Laboratory Criteria of Parsonnet for the Diagnosis of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

 

Criteria for a laboratory diagnosis of Staphylococcal TSS:

(1) culture isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from a mucosal or normally sterile site

(2) production of TSS-associated superantigen (SAG) by the isolate

(3) absence of serum antibody to TSS-associated toxin at onset of symptoms

(4) presence of serum antibody to TSS-associated toxin in a convalescent sample

 

Limitations:

• An initial serum sample may not be available for testing.

• Testing for TSS-associated superantigen usually requires testing at a reference laboratory.

• Not all patients develop a humoral response to TSS-associated toxin.