Final answer:
The organism that commonly causes toxic shock syndrome is Staphylococcus aureus, a condition that can lead to severe health issues such as sepsis and shock if not treated immediately.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organism commonly associated with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is Staphylococcus aureus. TSS is a condition that can rapidly progress to sepsis, shock, and potentially death if not treated promptly. Certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus produce a superantigen called toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), which can lead to the development of TSS. Women with preexisting S. aureus colonization of the vagina who use tampons or other devices for prolonged periods are at the highest risk of developing staphylococcal TSS.
Furthermore, a similar, but more severe condition named streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSS) is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. STSS often leads to serious complications such as bacteremia, necrotizing fasciitis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with a significant mortality rate even with aggressive treatment.