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[Erysipelas in the young population of a military hospital]
E Mahé1, P Toussaint, D Lamarque
1Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Robert Picqué, Villenave d'Ornon.
Insights
Erysipelas, a skin infection, is not rare in young, healthy military personnel. Leg infections are common, with local factors being the primary risk, and recurrences are frequent.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Erysipelas typically affects the elderly or immunocompromised.
- This study investigates erysipelas in a young, healthy military cohort.
- Understanding erysipelas in diverse populations is crucial for public health.
Purpose:
- To describe the characteristics of erysipelas in young, healthy military individuals.
- To identify risk factors and complications associated with erysipelas in this population.
- To compare findings with existing literature on erysipelas demographics.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 81 patients under 30, predominantly male soldiers, admitted between 1991-1997.
- Leg erysipelas was most common (74 cases), with local entry points as the sole identified risk factor in 100% of cases.
- Complications were rare (abscess, bursitis), but recurrence was noted in 7.1% of patients.
Impact:
- Highlights that erysipelas is not uncommon in young, healthy individuals.
- Facial erysipelas is exceptional in this demographic, unlike in older populations.
- Identifies local factors as key risks, suggesting preventive measures for military personnel.
Introduction:
Erysipelas usually affects either elderly patients or patients with predisposing factors. We studied erysipelas in a young healthy military population.
Subjects And Methods:
A retrospective study of patients, less than 30 years old, admitted to the Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Robert Picqué between 1991 and 1997 was performed.
Results:
Eighty-one patients were studied, 80 were men, mean age was 21.4 years. Localization of erysipelas was: face: 2; leg: 74. Facilitating factors were: portal of entry in 100 p. 100; venous insufficiency in 1 case; alcohol abuse in 1 case. Anti-inflammatory agents had been given at the beginning of treatment in 32.1 p. 100 cases. 7.1 p. 100 patients had a recurrence.. Complications were: abscess in 8 cases and bursitis in 1 case. No facilitating factor was detected. The course was not related with bacterial findings. No thrombo-embolic complication was observed.
Discussion:
In a young healthy population, erysipelas is not a rare infection. Face is an exceptional localization of erysipelas in relation to older population. The main risk factor for developing this infection is local factor found in 100 p. 100 cases but general factors as repeated hikes, care access, long standing could also be incriminated. Use of anti-inflammatory agents is frequent but role of anti-inflammatory agents in developing complications is not clear. Complications are rare and benign except for frequence of recurrences while the good health.