The Role of Gram Staining in Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

Abstract

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a severe blistering disease common in children. The diagnosis of SSSS is often difficult to distinguish from other blistering diseases in children. Here, we report a case of SSSS with a particular diagnostic step to elucidate the disease, which is the Gram stain. We propose the use of the Gram stain as a cost-effective diagnostic step in SSSS to shorten the time from presentation to treatment, especially in resource-limited areas.

Keywords: dermatology; desquamation; gram stain; scalded skin syndrome; ssss; staphylococcus aureus.