Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a dermatological condition caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The syndrome is induced by 2 epidermolytic exotoxins A and B, which are released by S. aureus and cause the epidermis to detach from the underlying dermis. One of the exotoxins is produced by the bacterial chromosome, while the other is produced by a plasmid. Bacterial plasmids are pieces of self-replicating DNA that often code for secondary characteristics, such as antibiotic resistance, and toxin production.

Dermatology | Infectious diseases