ABSTRACT
One of the manifestations of staphylococcal skin infection is the scalded skin syndrome, which is one of its more severe forms. Together with bullous impetigo and scarlatiniform eruption, it has been related directly to epidermolytic toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus, a group II phage which includes types 57,71, 3A, 3B and 3C ( Semin Dermatol 1982; 1:101). Ritter von Rittershain called it dermatitis exfoliativa neonatorum, and it is also known as pemphigus neonatorum because it more frequently affects newborn infants and because of its bullous appearance. Because of the extended involvement and its severity, it was confused with and described as a staphylococcal form of Lyell's syndrome. Thanks to studies done in newborn mice ( N Eng J Med 1970; 43:1114), it was possible to clearly establish the distinct origins of the two entities as well as the production of an epidermolytic enzyme or an epidermotoxin.
