A review of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is characterized by widespread epithelial necrosis and/or superficial blistering of the skin following infection by some toxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The disease primarily affects children under the age of 5 years, but it can also occur in adults. Due to the recent increase in reported cases of SSSS, we have reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including the development of vaccines for S. aureus infections. Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and websites of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), were searched for publications on SSSS written in English language. Our review showed that SSSS is more common in children, amongst whom it carries a mortality rate of <5%, as opposed to mortality rate of >50% in affected adults. Penicillinase-resistant penicillins are recommended for the treatment of SSSS, and administration of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) may aid early recovery. Important staphylococcal vaccine candidates are also highlighted in the review.