Lowell A. Glasgow

Abstract: A syndrome of dermatologic response to infection with phage Group 2 coagulase-positive staphylococci with reactions ranging from bullous impetigo to generalized scarlatiniform rash without exfoliation to generalized exfoliative disease was observed in 17 children. Staphylococci isolated from these patients, as well as two additional Group 2 organisms, produced exfoliation in newborn mice. The experimental lesion progressed from the development of a Nikolsky sign to bullous formation and then widespread exfoliation. Histologic sections were characterized by a cleavage plane within the epidermis at the stratum granulosum. Among 36 strains, the capacity to produce exfoliation was unique to staphylococci of phage Group 2. The disease produced in newborn mice reproduces the scalded-skin syndrome. Staphylococci may be recovered from involved animals. Thus Koch's postulates are fulfilled, and staphylococci of phage Group 2 are established as the etiologic agent of this syndrome.

TL;DR: The identification and separation of the staphylococcal exfoliative toxin and the production of a skin lesion with a partially purified preparation establish this toxin as the etiologic agent of the skin changes seen in children with the Staphylitis scalded-skin syndrome.

TL;DR: Utilizing an experimental model, methicillin therapy was demonstrated to be effective in ameliorating the course of the disease; treatment with corticosteroids had no beneficial effect.

TL;DR: Lack of inhibition of viral replication in the CNS appeared to be due to inadequate levels ofIUDR in brain tissue and is the likely explanation for the therapeutic failure of IUDR in this model infection.

TL;DR: Results indicate that mice exhibit a markedly enhanced susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections during the course of the MCMV infection and suggest that the enhancement may be related to viral-induced alterations in host resistance.