Staphylococcal toxin-mediated syndromes in childhood

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) are two distinct toxin-mediated syndromes with prominent cutaneous features. The exanthematous presentation of these syndromes places them in the broad category of childhood exanthems, and the ability to recognize these potentially devastating illnesses is essential for pediatricians and dermatologists who may encounter children with fever and rash. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of these entities has helped to explain the distinctive clinical presentations of TSS and SSSS. Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and enterotoxins are the secretory products of Staphylococcus aureus that lead to TSS. Many of the clinical features of TSS (fever, shock, multiple organ dysfunction) can be explained by the effects of cytokines (especially interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor) induced by TSST-1. TSS is not an exclusively menstrual event associated with tampon use. Nonmenstrual pediatric TSS may be associated with a wide variety of staphylococcal infections. Infected burn wounds in hospitalized children and bacterial tracheitis (in some cases following influenza B infection) are relatively high-risk settings for pediatric TSS. The epidermolytic toxins (A and B) directly produce subgranular epidermolysis leading to SSSS. SSSS encompasses a clinical spectrum from bullous impetigo to the widespread exfoliation of the Ritter disease variant of SSSS. This entity usually occurs in children under 5 years of age, and is primarily explained by lack of immunity to the toxins as well as renal immaturity leading to poor clearance of toxin. The newborn nursery is an important setting where epidemics of SSSS have occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)