Case of Bullous Impetigo Developing into Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome: Case Report

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus can cause exfoliative skin conditions, ranging from localized bullous impetigo (BI) to staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). The latter is a potentially life-threatening disorder, which leads to blistering of the upper layer of the skin, by the release of a circulating exotoxin. The disease especially affects infants and small children but has also been described in adults. SSSS usually presents with a prodrome of sore throat or conjunctivitis. The infection is often peri-facial impetigo, here is usually no bacteremia. Bullous impetigo, the toxin produces blisters locally at the site of infection, whereas in cases of the scalded-skin syndrome, it circulates throughout the body, causing blisters at sites distant from the infection.