TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS - EFFECT OF TAMPONS ON TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME TOXIN-1 PRODUCTION

Abstract

Tampons were tested for effect on growth and production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 by S. aureus. Under good growth conditions, regular absorbency tampons had little effect on bacterial growth and inhibited toxin production 2- to 4-fold. Higher absorbency tampons had 3 different effects; some tampons had no effect on bacterial growth but inhibited toxin production; many tampons inhibited both growth and toxin production; 1 tampon inhibited growth but increased exotoxin per cell. These effects were independent of degree of saturation of the tampons and were observed at incubation times of 6, 12 and 18 h. In no instance was the production of toxic shock toxin 1/ml increased in the presence of tampons when compared with control.