[Toxic staphylococcal cutaneous necrolysis (scalded skin syndrome) (author's transl)].

The exfoliating exotoxin of serotype II staphylococci is responsable of three diseases with prevailing dermatologic symptoms: staphylococcal scarlet fever, staphylococcal Lyell syndrom and Ritter-Lyell disease. Melish demonstrated the effect of staphylococcal exotoxin on new-born mice less than five days old. This experimental model allowed to study the characteristics of the toxin. Precocious antistaphylococcal antibiotherapy is necessary.