Toxic Shock Syndrome Caused by a Strain of Staphylococcus aureus That Produces Enterotoxin C but Not Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1

An 8-month-old infant presented with pneumonia and pleural effusion associated with clinical manifestation of toxic shock syndrome. A Staphylococcus aureus strain isolated from the pleural fluid produced enterotoxin C, but not toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 or other enterotoxins. Acute and convalescent sera showed an antibody rise to enterotoxin C but not to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1. These findings support the possibility that enterotoxin C was the primary toxin associated with this infant's illness.