Staphylococcal Epidermolysis: A Case Report

Acute staphylococcal epidermolysis, also known as staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), in young children is caused by the release of exfoliative toxins A and B (ETA and/or ETB) from an initial outbreak which can be ear-nose-throat, conjunctival or cutaneous.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is characterized by painful erythroderma, quickly followed by generalized detachment with respect to mucous surfaces, regressing in 2 to 4 days on antibiotics. The positive diagnosis is mainly based on clinical examination and sometimes on skin biopsy.

The course of the disease is benign, favored by anti-staphylococcal treatment combined with local care. However, the risk of fatal course is estimated at around 4% in the event of delay in antibiotic treatment. We report the case of an infant with SSSS, diagnosed and treated early with good evolution.