A case of toxic shock-like syndrome presenting with serious hypoproteinaemia because of a protein-losing gastroenteropathy.

Abstract

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) induced by Streptococcus pyogenes. After the pathogenic bacteria had been eradicated, serious diarrhoea appeared and a protein-losing gastroenteropathy developed. An immunohistochemical study of the biopsy specimens of both small and large intestines revealed the infiltration of T-lymphocytes, predominantly CD8+ cells, into the lamina propria of affected mucosa, villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia. Considering these histological findings, some immunological mechanism which lead the activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this rare intestinal manifestation of TSLS.