Staphylococcus Aureus Cellulitis Flashcards
What are the cardinal signs of inflammation seen on the skin?
Rubor Tumor Calor Dolor Loss of function
Where is an infection in cellulitis?
Skin and underlying soft tissue
Who is susceptible to a cellulitis?
People with skin breaks
Elderly
Compromised immune patients
What is the worrying type of cellulitis you must be careful of?
Necrotising fascitis
How do you diagnose necrotising fascitits and what is the treatment?
Pain is disproportionate to clinical signs
Small incision and insert a gloved finger- if it can wiggle around in mush its necrotising fasciitis and needs immediate surgery or the patient will die with in hours.
What antibiotics do you give?
Flucloxacillin
or
Doxacycline
Outline the virulence factors of staph aureus.
Cell wall Protein A - anti-phagocytic Fibrionectin- promotes binding to mucosal cells Cytolytic exotoxin Super antigen amplifies T cell repsonse
What other infections can staph aureus cause?
Endocarditis, toxic shock, pneumonia, impetigo, osteomylitis , LUTI, food poisoning, scaled skin syndrome and septic arthritis
Will neutrophils be raised?
yes - its a bacterial infection
Why would CRP be up?
Acute phase protein of inflammation so will be high as the bacteria causes inflammation
Cellulitis in the leg has another differential diagnosis, what is it?
DVT- painful hot red leg same presentation but very different problem and management
How is it transmitted?
Direct contact with a carrier
