Abstract: Absorbent products, especially catemenial tampons, for absorbing body fluids, such as menstrual fluid, blood and wound exudates, comprise an amount of a compound effective to inhibit the production of Enterotoxin A, Enterotoxin B and/or Enterotoxin C by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when the products are brought into contact with the bacteria. The compositions of this invention are also useful to inhibit production of Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins A, B and C, as well as hemolysins produced by Groups A, B, F and G streptococci in solution as well as being expected to be effective to inhibit such toxin and hemolysin production when used in conjunction with absorbent products. The compound is selected from the group consisting of monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Absorbent products, especially catamenial tampons, for absorbing body fluids, such as menstrual fluid, blood and wound exudates, comprise an amount of a compound effective to inhibit the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when the products are brought into contact with the bacteria. The compound is selected from the group consisting of monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; and mixtures thereof. The monoesters and diesters have at least one hydroxyl group associated with their aliphatic alcohol residue.

Abstract: Absorbent products, especially catamenial tampons, for absorbing body fluids, such as menstrual fluid, blood and wound exudates, comprise an amount of a compound effective to inhibit the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when the products are brought into contact with the bacteria. The compound is selected from the group consisting of monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; and mixtures thereof. The monoesters and diesters have at least one hydroxyl group associated with their aliphatic alcohol residue.

Abstract: Absorbent products, especially catamenial tampons, for absorbing body fluids, such as menstrual fluid, blood and wound exudates, comprise an amount of a compound effective to inhibit the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when the products are brought into contact with the bacteria. The compound is selected from the group consisting of monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; and mixtures thereof. The monoesters and diesters have at least one hydroxyl group associated with their aliphatic alcohol residue.