The authors report the case of a 5 year-old child who, after a sore throat, developed gastrointestinal problems, high fever, scarlatinaform rash, conjunctivitis, shock with renal failure and involvement of liver, pancreas and muscles. No infectious site was detected. However, he had positive blood culture for staphylococcus aureus. The child fully recovered after a period of desquamation of the palms and soles.