Bullous impetigo

Bullous impetigo
Bullous impetigo after rupture of the bullae
SpecialtyInfectious disease/dermatology

Bullous impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus that results in the formation of large blisters called bullae, usually in areas with skin folds like the armpit, groin, between the fingers or toes, beneath the breast, and between the buttocks. It accounts for 30% of cases of impetigo, the other 70% being non-bullous impetigo.[1]

The bullae are caused by exfoliative toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus that cause the connections between cells in the uppermost layer of the skin to fall apart.[1] Bullous impetigo in newborns, children, or adults who are immunocompromised and/or are experiencing kidney failure, can develop into a more severe and generalized form called staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). The mortality rate is less than 3% for infected children, but up to 60% in adults.[2]

  1. ^ a b Hartman-Adams H, Banvard C, Juckett G (August 2014). "Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment". American Family Physician. 90 (4): 229–235. PMID 25250996.
  2. ^ Hanakawa Y, Schechter NM, Lin C, Garza L, Li H, Yamaguchi T, et al. (July 2002). "Molecular mechanisms of blister formation in bullous impetigo and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 110 (1). American Society for Clinical Investigation: 53–60. doi:10.1172/jci0215766. PMC 151035. PMID 12093888.