Bacterial toxins and sudden unexpected death in a young child

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 141 - 146
• Main Authors: Bentley, A.J., Zorgani, A.A., Blackwell, C.C., Weir, D.M., Busuttil, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ireland Ltd 04.08.1997; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the respiratory system; Bacterial Toxins; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Death, Sudden - etiology; Death, Sudden - pathology; Enterotoxins - analysis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Mesencephalon - chemistry; Parainfluenza virus; Respiratory tract; Respiratory tract infection; Respiratory Tract Infections - complications; Respiratory Tract Infections - metabolism; Respiratory Tract Infections - pathology; Septic shock; Staphylococcal enterotoxin F; Staphylococcal Infections - complications; Staphylococcal Infections - metabolism; Staphylococcal Infections - pathology; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification; Sudden death; Superantigens; Toxic shock syndrome; Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1; Toxins; Parainfluenza virus; Sudden death; Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1; Human; Upper respiratory tract; Respiratory disease; Central nervous system; Toxic shock syndrome; Case study; Infection; Toxin; School age; Autopsy; Viral disease; Influenza; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Complication; Micrococcaceae; Staphylococcal infection; Child; Staphylococcus aureus; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/S0379-0738(97)00067-4

The sudden unexpected death of a six year old child following an upper respiratory tract infection is reported. Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) in samples of brain tissue. The significance of this finding is discussed.