What toxin is responsible for Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is primarily caused by the exfoliative toxin produced by certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus. This exotoxin targets the desmoglein-1 protein, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the skin by adhering skin cells together. The action of the exfoliative toxin leads to the loss of adhesion between epidermal cells, resulting in the characteristic separation of the outer layers of the skin, which appears as blistering and peeling akin to a burn or scald.

This condition typically affects infants and young children, as their skin is more susceptible to the effects of the toxin. The clinical manifestation of SSSS includes diffuse erythema, followed by the development of flaccid blisters and superficial desquamation. The underlying mechanism centers on the toxin's ability to disrupt keratinocyte function and weaken the cell-cell adhesion within the epidermis.

Other options, such as hemolysin, lipase, and cytotoxin, play roles in various pathogenic processes associated with Staphylococcus aureus but are not involved in the mechanism leading to SSSS. Hemolysins are associated with lysing red blood cells, lipases contribute to lipid degradation,