3 - Skin & Soft Tissue Infections Flashcards
What are the main types of skin abscesses?
- Dermis and deeper structures, painful red nodules w/ overlying pustule and erythema
- Furuncles (boils) in hair follicle
- Carbuncles (collection of furuncles)
Most common pathogen of skin abscesses
Staph aureus (75% of cases)
What is a non-pharm for treating skin abscesses?
Drainage +/- moist heat compresses x 30 min applied 3-4x daily for small lesions, or surgical incision for larger lesions
Why are antimicrobials not often used for skin abscesses?
Can’t penetrate into the abscess and don’t work well in the environment of the abscess (anaerobic, low pH, etc.)
When are antimicrobials used for skin abscesses?
- Abscess > 2 cm
- Multiple lesions
- Extensive cellulitis
- Systemic signs of infection
- Indwelling medical device (ex: catheter)
- Immunocompromised
What are some common signs of infection?
- Fever over 38 C
- Tachypnea (shortness of breath) > 24/min
- Tachycardia > 90/min
- WBC > 12,000 or < 4,000 cells/uL
What are the antibiotic options for skin abscesses?
- Cephalexin *preferred for bioavailability
- Cloxacillin (poorer bioavailability)
- [Clindamycin] for severe beta lactam allergy
What are some risk factors for an MRSA infection?
- MRSA colonized or close contact of MRSA infection
- Previous antimicrobials or S. aureus infection particularly if tx failure w/ regimen lacking MRSA coverage
- Medical procedures
- Chronic dialysis
- Hospitalization
- ICU admission
- Resident of long-term care facility
When would you empirically treat for MRSA?
If pt has a risk factor
What is the significance of community-acquired MRSA compared w/ nosocomial infection?
- Contagion among close contacts (ex: childcare centres, athletic facilities) and IV drug users
- Increasing prevalence
- Generally more susceptible to other antimicrobials
- Associated w/ SSTI in 75% of cases
What are the oral antimicrobial options for treating MRSA skin abscesses?
- Doxycycline or TMP-SMX
- [Clindamycin]
What are disadvantages to use of clindamycin?
- Increasing resistance
- Macrolide-resistance associated w/ increased risk of inducible clindamycin resistance developing during therapy
- Highest risk of causing C. difficile infection
What are some severe reactions to a drug that would warrant not using it?
- Anaphylaxis
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of mucous membranes
- Hives
Characteristics of impetigo
- Highest incidence in children 2-5 y/o
- Superficial infection of epidermis
- 90% non-bullous/ crusty scabs (S. aureus, S. pyogenes); 10% bullous/ blisters (S. aureus)
- Pruritus w/ mild to moderate erythema
Most common pathogen in impetigo?
Staph aureus (less commonly S. pyogenes)
What will a gram stain reveal for staph aureus?
Gram pos cocci in clumps
What will a gram stain reveal for strep pyogenes?
Gram pos cocci in chains
What is used for non-bullous impetigo w/ low risk of complications?
Topical Mupirocin 2% applied BID x 5 days
What are the oral antimicrobial options for empirically treating impetigo? Typical duration?
- Cloxacillin or cephalexin (since not life threatening, difference in bioavailability isn’t really considered)
- [Clindamycin]
- Duration = 7 days
What are the oral antimicrobial options for MSSA impetigo?
- Cloxacillin or cephalexin
- [Clindamycin]
What are the oral antimicrobial options for MRSA impetigo?
- Doxycycline or TMP-SMX
- [Clindamycin] - for children (contraindication to doxy) w/ a sulfa allergy (contraindication to TMP-SMX)
What are the oral antimicrobial options for S. pyogenes?
- Pen V or amoxicillin (amox has better kinetics and palatability but pen V has less adverse effects)
- [Clindamycin] - severe beta lactam allergy
What is cellulitis?
- Diffuse, superficial skin infection of epidermis and dermis that can extend to cutaneous lymphatics and subcutaneous fat
- Purulence may be present, but more consistent w/ skin abscesses
What is the difference between erysipelas and cellulitis?
Erysipelas is synonymous w/ cellulitis, but often superficial involving upper dermis or superficial lymphatics w/ more delineated borders
Where on the body does cellulitis commonly occur and what are the most common pathogens?
- Lower (90%) or upper extremities or face
- S. pyogenes and other beta-hemolytic streptococcus including Group B, C, F or G
- Less commonly staph aureus (typically associated w/ purulence, abscess, wound, trauma)
What is the clinical presentation of cellulitis?
- Orange-peel-like appearance, vesicles, bullae, petechiae (hemorrhages under the skin) or ecchymoses (bruising)
- Phlebitis (inflammation of vein) or lymphangitis (streaking)
- Local pain, erythema, warmth, edema, +/- systemic signs of infection
What are the differential diagnoses of cellulitis?
- Stasis dermatitis (bilateral, venous insufficiency, pitting edema, hyperpigmentation)
- Contact dermatitis (pruritic)
- Gout (severe pain, single joint swelling)
- DVT (risk factors, calf pain)
Risk factors for cellulitis
- Skin disruption (abrasion, insect bite, ulcer, wound, trauma, IVDU) or inflammation (eczema, radiation)
- Lymphatic obstruction
- Advanced age, obesity
- Peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus
- Immunocompromised
Important adjuvant non-pharms for cellulitis
- Immobilization
- Elevation
- Cool and warm dressings
What should be considered when choosing oral vs. IV antimicrobials for cellulitis tx?
- Severity of cellulitis based on location, area of involvement, and progression
- Systemic signs of infection
- Oral tolerability