Bullous impetigo caused by group A streptococci. A case report.

Bullous impetigo is considered to be a staphylococcal disease. Staphylococcus aureus, phage type 71, produces an epidermolytic toxin, assumed to be the cause of bullous formation in the skin. We present a case of bullous impetigo. Microbiological tests suggested beta-hemolytic streptococci, group A, M-type 3, as the etiological agent. Group A streptococci were isolated from the throat of the patient's mother and brother. The strains were shown to be identical, by means of DNA-'fingerprinting' and M-typing.