Define: toxic shock syndrome (TSS) impetigo MRSA Solution Answer: 1. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): It is a severe human disease caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria produced superantigens which act as a toxins (mainly Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1) to cause this syndrome. Superantigens are bacterial proteins that stimulate the immune system much more extensively than do normal antigens. As they provoke such a drastic immune response thus, they are termed superantigens. Their action is to stimulate T cells to proliferate nonspecifically through simultaneous interaction with class II MHC proteins on antigen-presenting cells and variable regions on the chain of the T-cell receptor complex. It is most commonly seen in females who use superabsorbent tampons during menstruation. However, the toxin associated with this syndrome is also produced in men and in nonmenstruating women by S. aureus present at sites other than the genital area such as surgical wound infections. Symptoms: Low blood pressure, fever, diarrhea, an extensive skin rash (like sun burn), and ultimately shedding of the skin. 2. Impetigo: It is the most frequently diagnosed skin (superficial cutaneous) infection caused by bacteria Staphylococcuspyogenes and S. aureus. It is most commonly seen in children. Symptoms: The encrusted pustules, crusty lesions and vesicles surrounded by a red border, usually located on the face. 3. MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcusaureus): Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality as a nosocomial or hospital-acquired pathogen since late 1950s and early 1960s. However, penicillinase-resistant, semisynthetic penicillins have proved to be successful antimicrobial agents in the treatment of staphylococcal infections. But it is unfortunate that the staphylococci become resistant through procuring of a chromosomal gene (mecA) that encodes an alternate target protein which is not inactivated by methicillin. The majority of the strains are resistant to several of the most commonly used antimicrobial agents, including macrolides, aminoglycosides, and the beta-lactam antibiotics, including the latest generation of cephalosporins. Thus, MSRA strains have recently emerged as a major, difficult to treat, hospital-acquired infection in humans, therefore considered as super-bug..