Predisposing factors of the skin surface in persons with impetigo contagiosa.

The following report describes the results of biochemical and physiological examinations in 32 persons, who had suffered from impetigo contagiosa in the last 2 years, as well as 21 control persons of the same age and sex. The examination of the skin surface of the patient group, when compared with the corresponding control group, showed the following significant results: 1. an increase in the percentage of free cholesterol in skin surface lipids possibly as a result of an increased cell turnover in the epidermis, 2. a decrease in reducing substances as revealed by the ferricyanide and the phenolsulfuric acid methods in the so called water solubles, 3. a decrease in the alkali resistance of the skin possibly as a result of a decreased barrier function of the stratum corneum. It is most likely that these results indicate predisposing factors, localized in the epidermis, for impetigo contagiosa.