Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in an HIV-1 seropositive man

Abstract

The staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is very rare in adults. Renal impairment and immunocompromise are predisposing causes. We report a 38-year-old HIV-1 seropositive intravenous drug abuser who developed SSSS due to staphylococcal pneumonia. An exfoliating toxin-releasing Staphylococcus aureus, phage type II type 3C, was isolated from the sputum and from blood cultures. This is the third case of adult SSSS to be reported in the context of HIV disease.