Menstrual Toxic Shock (mTSS)

G. Lina, PU-PH / A. Tristan, MCU-PH

Menstrual staphyloccique toxic shock syndrom (mTSS) is a rare life-threatening infectious disease (approximately 30 cases per year in France) associated with the use of intravaginal sanitary protection (tampon, menstrual cup etc.). Although only a very small proportion of women at risk develop mTSS, because they are colonized by a strain of S. aureus that produces the staphylococcal toxic shock toxin TSST-1, the triggering and protective factors remain poorly understood. 

The objectives of our projects will be: 

• Identification of the biological properties of TSST-1 and the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with this toxin in mTSS
• Characterization of immunological mechanisms in relation to TSST-1
• Impact of the microbiota on TSST-1 production