An Infant Case of Streptococcal Intertrigo Caused by Intrafamilial Transmission

Abstract

Intertrigo is a kind of dermatitis that manifests on the intertriginous areas, such as the neck, axilla, groin, genitocrural region, etc., as a result of mechanical irritation and infection. We recently experienced an infant case of streptococcal intertrigo. This disorder is a skin infection triggered by group-A streptococcus that is mainly observed in infants. An otherwise healthy one-month-old girl presented with erythema with clear borders in the intertriginous areas along her neck, axilla, groin, and popliteal space. Since a rapid antigen detection test for group-A streptococcus was positive, we diagnosed her as having streptococcal intertrigo. Furthermore, since the serotype T and protein genotype M of the group-A streptococcus identified from the patient matched one identified from her brother, we concluded that the infection route was intrafamilial transmission. Although this disorder typically presents as a very characteristic rash and has an established treatment method, it is not widely recognized and is often overlooked in the field of pediatrics.