Case-control study, 1984
Do women who have had toxic shock syndrome have different vaginal bacteria?
Yes. Women who recovered from toxic shock syndrome related to menstruation had fewer bacteria in their vagina, especially during their period and in the days before their period. It is unclear whether the lower bacteria protected them from the original illness or resulted from it.
What they did
A case-control study where researchers compared vaginal bacteria samples from 8 women who had recovered from toxic shock syndrome (tested between 4 days and 3 years after recovery, averaging 15.8 months) with samples from 11 healthy women matched by age. Samples were taken at different times in the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Women who had toxic shock syndrome had significantly lower counts of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in their vagina compared to healthy women. The differences were largest during menstruation and in the premenstrual phase. There was no difference in bacterial counts in the middle of the cycle.
What it means for you
Toxic shock syndrome affects the vaginal bacteria community long after recovery. However, the sample is very small and the study is from 1984, so findings may not apply broadly. The study does not explain whether the lower bacterial counts protect these women from future infections.
8
Women who had toxic shock syndrome
11
Healthy women in comparison group
15.8 months
Average time after toxic shock syndrome when samples were taken
About the study
- Original title
- Quantitative vaginal microflora in women convalescent from toxic shock syndrome and in healthy controls
- Authors
- Chow AW, Bartlett KH, Goldring AM
- Journal
- Infection and immunity
- Year
- 1984
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 11
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1128/iai.44.3.650-652.1984