Skin and soft tissue infections Flashcards
Name some examples of skin infections caused by Staphylococcus.
Impetigo
Cellulitis (or Strep.)
Furuncle
Carbuncle
Name some examples of skin infections caused by Streptococcus.
Erysipelas
Cellulitis
Necrotising fasciitis
A patient comes in with a skin infection of the epidermis, what are your two differentials?
Impetigo (staph.) and Erysipelas (strep)
What is a collection of furuncles called?
Carbuncle
Furuncle - deep infection of a hair follicle
What viruses can cause skin and soft infections?
viral warts (skin warts, verrucas, genital warts etc.)
herpes (herpes labialis, herpes genitalis etc.)
viral exanthems (chickenpox, shingles, measles etc.)
molluscum contagiosum
smallpox
What fungi can cause skin and soft infections?
tinea infections (tinea pedis, tinea corporis etc.) seborrhoeic dermatitis
Name examples of protozoa, helminths and ectoparasite infections.
Protozoa : cutaneous leishmaniasis
Helminths : cutaneous larva migrans
Ectoparasites : scabies, cutaneous myiasis
What does commensal mean?
symbiotic relationship between two different species where one derives some benefit & the other is unaffected
(opposite is colonisation)
How can you take samples for soft tissue infections?
Swabs = pus, skin (nose & throat to look for colonisation)
Body fluids = pus, vesicle fluid, blood
Body tissues = biopsies (rarely)
What other investigations can you do for soft tissue infections?
Microbiology
Radiology - deep seated infections
How can you treat herpes, chickenpox and shingles?
Aciclovir
What can superficial infections (e.g. impetigo) be treated with?
topical fuscidin
As staph. aureus is usually resistant to antibiotics, sampling can be carried out. What would you give initially?
Flucloxacillin
Strep is rarely resistant to antibiotics, therefore what would you give?
Penicillin
Opportunistic bacteria infections (e.g. diabetic ulcers) are often polymicrobial, therefore are sampled. What can be used initially to treat?
co-amoxiclav
