Most Toxic Shock Cases Preventable, Researcher Says

Most cases of toxic-shock syndrome are preventable, and a careful study of cases may determine risk factors and help to educate people about the bacteria that produce the toxin, a researcher said Sunday.

Dr. Lewis Leskowitz, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine, heads part of a study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

Six populations are being studied, including Tennessee, where each hospital in the state is called every two weeks to determine how many cases of toxic shock have been reported.

“There have been about 25 cases so far this year that we’re pretty sure about, but there’s still no way to really, absolutely confirm it,” Leskowitz said of Tennessee.

The five other populations included in the study are Missouri, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Washington and Los Angeles County.

Leskowitz said the symptoms of the sometimes-fatal syndrome are fever, a rash like a sunburn and feeling weak and dizzy.

“Shock is really a very good term for it in the severe cases. In milder cases it’s really hard to tell. This study is troublesome because we’ll be missing some cases,” he said.

Leskowitz said the study will not be completed until July, 1987, and no figures have yet been compiled. Although many cases are related to tampon use, he said, toxic shock can result from a variety of staphylococcus infections and males can develop the syndrome.