Skin Infections Flashcards
Common types of cutaneous infections
Bacterial, viral, dermatophyte (fungal), treponema (syphilis), arthropod
Langerhans cell function
Immune cells of the epidermis responsible for antigen presentation to lymphocytes
Impetigo cause
Superficial bacterial infection, usually staph aureus or strep pyogenes
Impetigo location
Around mouth or perineum
Impetigo clinical characteristics
Crusted, “glazed” eroded papule to plaques, peripheral rim of scale, may be tender or asymptomatic, uncommon but can be bullous
Impetigo treatment
Topical or oral antibiotics
Impetigo histology
Subcorneal neutrophils and scattered gram-positive cocci
Cellulitis definition
Common but potentially serious bacterial skin and soft tissue infection
Cellulitis clinical characteristics
Edematous, erythematous, warm, sometimes taut/shiny localized plaque, uncommonly blisters on surface from edema, usually solitary with or without fever and systemic symptoms
Cellulitis initiation
May be initiated by skin injury
Cellulitis treatment
Systemic antibiotics, rest, elevation
Necrotizing fasciitis definition
Rare “flesh-eating bacteria” of the deeper tissue
Necrotizing fasciitis cause
Usually anaerobic bacteria or group A strep pyogenes
Necrotizing fasciitis clinical characteristics
Crepitus, purple, dusky, necrotic color with or without ulcers and bullae, associated with severe pain and systemic symptoms
Necrotizing fasciitis treatment
Emergency surgery, antibiotics
Staph scalded skin syndrome cause
Epidermolytic-toxin producing staph aureus
Staph scalded skin syndrome age affected
Infants and younger kids, possibly adults with decreased renal function or that are immunocompromised
Staph scalded skin syndrome clinical characteristics
Cleavage/split within epidermis, desquamative erythema in body folds, starts as a localized infection and becomes systemic, usually febrile, peeling perioral and body folds, no mucosal involvement
Staph scalded skin syndrome treatment
Systemic anti-staph antibiotic
Staph scalded skin syndrome histology
Subcorneal split without neutrophils or bacterial organisms
Herpes simplex virus clinical characteristics
Recurrent, painful, tingling vesicles on lips and around mouth, “fever blisters”, “cold sores”, genital erosions
Herpes simplex virus types
Two types - 1 more common oral and 2 more common genital
Herpes simplex virus treatment
Systemic antiviral if indicated, but recurrence is common
Herpes simplex virus histology
Cytopathic effect on keratinocytes, margination, multi nucleation, molding
