[Staphylococcal infection of the face. 52 cases]

Severe staphylococcal infections, and notably those affecting the face, are frequent in Tunisia. We report 52 cases observed between December 1981 and September 1989. The epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of the disease are presented. New antibiotics have reduced the mortality rate to 4%. Lethal cases and sequelae are due to delayed treatment. This demonstrates the importance of an early treatment and, above all, of prevention by vigorous chemotherapy of even the mildest facial skin infections.