First Ever Toxic Shock Syndrome Vaccine Out Now

The researchers from MedUni Vienna's Department of Clinical Pharmacology have developed the world's first vaccine against Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

The report was printed in the leading journal "The Lancet Infectious Disease." The researchers collaborated with Biomedizinische Forschungsgesellschaft mbH in Vienna, according to Science Daily.

The vaccine is safe and effective. It has no side effects and was developed from a detoxified Staphylococcus toxin. The researchers tested the vaccine on 46 young men and women. It was injected into their skin.

Bernd Jilma from MedUni Vienna's Department of Clinical Pharmacology said that the effect of the vaccine is the same to that of a tetanus vaccination. He further explained that the immunization with such vaccines last for five years or more. Once a person is vaccinated, he develops antibodies, which become active if the germs start to pose a threat.

 Martha Eibl, director of Biomedizinische Forschungsgesellscaft mbH and former university professor at the Institute for Immunology of the medical faculty of the University of Vienna stated that they are well on the way to having a vaccine that prevents this disease. On the other hand, it will still take some years before it is in clinical use. They are still looking for more volunteers for the Phase II trial to check promising results of the vaccine.

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a life-threatening disease caused by a bacterial toxin. These bacteria are the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and the group A streptococcus (strep). The condition is also referred to as "tampon disease." This is because a blood poisoning happened in young women when they use the "superabsorbent tampons" during their periods.

The disease may occur in children, men and postmenopausal women. Its risk factors include surgery and skin wounds. The toxic shock syndrome can be treated through hospitalization. In the hospital, the patient with TSS is given antibiotic and fluids to treat dehydration. She also receives medication to stabilize her blood pressure if it is low (hypotension). Surgery may be performed if there is a need to eradicate nonliving tissue from the site of infection or to deplete the infection.