Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an acute infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Clinical Features
• Spreading erythema
• Acute inflammation – pain, redness, heat, swelling and loss of function
• Systemic symptoms – fever, tachycardia, hypotension
• Acute inflammation – pain, redness, heat, swelling and loss of function
• Systemic symptoms – fever, tachycardia, hypotension
Causes
Common
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (Groups A, C and G)
Diabetics OR Vascular Insufficiency
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (Groups A, B, C and G)
• Gram-negative bacteria e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Anaerobes e.g. Clostridium sp.
Returned Travellers
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (Groups A, C and G)
• Opportunists e.g. Aeromonas sp., Vibrio vulnificus
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (Groups A, C and G)
Diabetics OR Vascular Insufficiency
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (Groups A, B, C and G)
• Gram-negative bacteria e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Anaerobes e.g. Clostridium sp.
Returned Travellers
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (Groups A, C and G)
• Opportunists e.g. Aeromonas sp., Vibrio vulnificus
Investigations
• Usually a clinical diagnosis
• If broken skin consider taking skin swabs after removing overlying slough
• If systemic symptoms consider taking blood cultures
• If broken skin consider taking skin swabs after removing overlying slough
• If systemic symptoms consider taking blood cultures
Prognosis and Complications
Most patients get better with treatment.
Prophylaxis and Prevention
No roll for antibiotics to prevent recurrence.
Most patients get better with treatment.
Prophylaxis and Prevention
No roll for antibiotics to prevent recurrence.
Topics in Clinical Scenarios - Skin, Soft Tissue, Bone & Joint Conditions:
All these topics are covered in the book...Ready to buy your copy? Click here to buy your copy of "Microbiology Nuts & Bolts" Its updated and amazingly only slightly larger considering its got 1/3 more in it! (11cmx18cmx2.5cm).
- Bites
- Infected Burns, Skin Grafts & Post-Op Wounds
- Intravascular Device Associated Infection
- Osteomyelitis
- Septic Arthritis
- Necrotising Fasciitis (see Emergencies)
All these topics are covered in the book...Ready to buy your copy? Click here to buy your copy of "Microbiology Nuts & Bolts" Its updated and amazingly only slightly larger considering its got 1/3 more in it! (11cmx18cmx2.5cm).
