Staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome in a very low birth weight premature infant

Exfoliative skin diseases are rare in neonates. When caused by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, scalded-skin diseases such as staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome (SSSS), bullous impetigo, and staphylococcal scarlet fever may develop. These diseases might cause significant complications and mortality. SSSS is caused by staphylococcal exfoliative toxins A or B, which split the granular layer of the skin, induce proteolysis, and might exhibit superantigen activities, such as epidermolysis and lymphocyte mitogenicity. We describe a 1378-g premature male infant who was born at 29 weeks' gestation and developed SSSS on day 3 of life, with no clinical signs of neonatal sepsis. After cultures from the lesion and bloodstream were obtained, intravenous cloxacillin therapy was started. Infection control measures were implemented instantly and included isolation of the infected infant, personnel handwashing with hexachlorophene, and placement of exposed neonates into a cohort. The initial lesion expanded and additional lesions appeared, but 12 hours after initiation of antibacterial therapy, the lesions ceased to proliferate. Cultures from scalded-skin lesions grew coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, whereas the bloodstream culture was sterile. The lesions resolved completely within 6 days, and the infant's subsequent course was uneventful. No similar skin lesions were noticed in other infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. We discuss recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of neonatal SSSS, highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, and stress the need for new adjunctive therapies for this disease.