Action of staphylococcal epidermolytic toxin on mouse skin: an electron microscopic study.

The ultrastructure of the skin of 3-day-old mice challenged with small doses of highly purified staphylococcal epidermolytic toxin was examined at various time intervals. Up to 130 min few changes were evident, but at this time wide gaps developed between cells in the horizontal planes of the stratum granulosum, and "bubbles" normally present in the intracellular spece were no longer apparent. Splitting of the desmosomes occurred after the development of distended intercellular spaces. After 20 hr, that is, in the "healing" phase, the appearance suggested that normal maturation of keratinocytes was altered. Also at this time a degree of cell separation was still apparent in the outermost actively maturing layer of the stratum granulosum. The proteinase inhibitor Trasylol was tested for its effect on the toxin when administered up to 45 min after challenge.