29. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Flashcards
What pathogens cause cellulitis?
Staph aureus
Strep pyogenes
Less commonly C or G B haemolytic strep
What are the risk factors for cellulitis?
Previous cellulitis Diabetes Obesity Peripheral vascular disease Lymphoedema Skin breaks
What are the clinical features of cellulitis?
Erythema Pain Swelling Hot to touch Patient may be systemically unwell
What samples should be taken from a patient with cellulitis?
Blood cultures
Skin swabs
How should cellulitis be managed?
Mark boundaries
Empiric flucloxacillin
What directed treatment should be given if cellulitis is caused by strep pyogenes?
Benzylpenicillin
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Destruction of skin, subcutaneous and peri-muscular fat by liquefactive necrosis
What are the types of necrotising fasciitis?
Polymicrobial
Group A beta haemolytic strep
Gas gangrene
How does a patient with necrotising fasciitis present?
Pain is out of proportion to their wound
Very systemically unwell
How should necrotising fasciitis be managed?
Urgent surgery for debridement
Tissue for culture
Blood cultures
What is the empiric treatment for necrotising fasciitis?
Vancomycin
Piperacillin-tazobactam
Clindamycin
What is Fournier’s Gangrene?
Necrotising fasciitis in the perineum
Can involve scrotum, penis and abdominal wall
What is gas gangrene?
Necrotising myositis
What pathogen causes gas gangrene?
Toxin-producing clostridia
What is the link between colon cancer and gas gangrene?
C. septum from the GIT can spread haematologically
What are the clinical features of gas gangrene?
Acute onset of severe pain
Fluid or gas filled blisters on skin
Foul odour and crepitus
How is gas gangrene diagnosed?
Gas seen in tissues on X-ray
Wound swab, blister fluid or tissue for culture
Blood cultures
What is the treatment for gas gangrene?
Debridement
Empiric: benzylpenicillin for clostridia
Hyperbaric oxygen
What pathogens cause impetigo?
Staph aureus
Group A strep
Impetigo is highly contagious. T/F?
True
What antibiotic treatment is used for impetigo?
Flucloxacillin
What pathogen causes folliculitis?
Staph aureus
What pathogens cause abscesses?
Staph aureus or polymicrobial
What is the treatment for abscesses and furuncles?
Drain