From the Guidelines
Yes, strawberry tongue can be associated with toxic shock syndrome, as it is mentioned alongside other diseases with similar clinical findings, including viral infections, scarlet fever, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, which can also present with a "strawberry tongue" 1.
Clinical Presentation
The clinical presentation of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) includes a range of symptoms such as high fever, rash, hypotension, and multisystem organ involvement. While the provided evidence primarily discusses Kawasaki disease, it lists TSS among diseases with similar clinical findings, including the presence of a "strawberry tongue" 1. This manifestation is characterized by a bright red tongue with prominent papillae, resembling the surface of a strawberry.
Differential Diagnosis
It's crucial to differentiate TSS from other conditions that may present with similar symptoms, including viral infections, scarlet fever, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, and Kawasaki disease. The presence of a strawberry tongue, although not exclusive to TSS, can aid in the diagnosis when considered alongside other clinical manifestations 1.
Management and Outcome
Prompt recognition and management of TSS are critical to prevent morbidity and mortality. The presence of a strawberry tongue, among other symptoms, should prompt healthcare providers to consider TSS in the differential diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment promptly. Given the potential severity of TSS, prioritizing its diagnosis and treatment based on clinical findings like strawberry tongue is essential for improving patient outcomes 1.
From the Research
Clinical Presentation of Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by rapid progression to multiple organ failure 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- The syndrome is caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, which produce superantigens that bypass normal antigen presentation and cause a clonal T-cell expansion and uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory mediators 3, 5
Strawberry Tongue in Toxic Shock Syndrome
- There is no direct mention of strawberry tongue as a symptom of toxic shock syndrome in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- However, the studies do describe various clinical presentations of TSS, including fever, dizziness, tender and erythematous skin, rash, and multiple organ failure 2, 3, 4, 6