Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of perianal dermatitis.

Perianal dermatitis has been reported to be caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus. We present a case caused by Staphylococcus aureus. A clinical clue pointing to this organism was the presence of satellite pustules. Identifying the pathogen in perianal dermatitis is therapeutically important, as oral penicillin VK will not be effective if S. aureus is the true cause. Other streptococcal and staphylococcal cutaneous infections may exhibit overlapping clinical features, including scarlet fever, impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, and cellulitis.