title: Current options for the treatment of impetigo in children.
abstract: Impetigo contagiosa is a common, superficial, bacterial infection of the skin characterised by an inflamed and infected epidermis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes or both. The less common bullous impetigo is characterised by fragile fluid-filled vesicles and flaccid blisters, and is invariably caused by pathogenic strains of S. aureus. In bullous impetigo, exfoliative toxins are produced, although these are restricted to the area of infection and bacteria can be cultured from the blister contents. In the rare variant, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, the exfoliative toxins are spread haematogenously from a localised source causing widespread epidermal damage at distant sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sladden
authors.forename: Graham A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005672:Fusidic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007169:Impetigo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D007223:Infant; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013206:Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005672:Fusidic Acid; D004917:Erythromycin; D016712:Mupirocin