Scarlet fever, Toxic-shock syndrome and the Staphylococcus.

A case of scarlet fever studied in 1959 and caused by Staphylococcus aureus, phage type 52/52a/80 infection of a surgical burn is reported. The literature is reviewed and data are presented which indicate the distinct antigenicity of the erythrogenic toxins of staphylococci and group A streptococci. The patient developed neutralizing antibodies to staphylococcal toxin which disappeared ten months after infection. The similarity of the rashes and desquamation of the skin of several diseases caused by staphylococci indicate at least one common toxin.